Compilation of intellectual and artistic works: Cultural memory, state responsibility, and ontological continuity in The Turkish Cypriot Community

This study examines the compilation of intellectual and artistic works in the Turkish Cypriot community through a theoretical and historical lens, focusing on its role in the construction and continuity of cultural memory. Moving beyond a purely legal or administrative understanding, the article conceptualizes compilation as an ontological mechanism that sustains the existence of a society by preserving its intellectual production. Drawing on theories of collective memory, archival power, and ritual structures, the study analyzes the historical development of compilation practices from the Ottoman and British periods to the contemporary framework of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Despite the existence of legal regulations, particularly the 32/2000 Compilation Law, the system remains largely ineffective in practice. This paper argues that such inefficiency should not be interpreted merely as an institutional failure but as a deeper ontological problem that disrupts cultural continuity and weakens collective identity. By situating compilation within broader discussions of knowledge production and memory preservation, the study demonstrates that the absence of a functional system leads to fragmentation of cultural memory and erosion of historical self-awareness. Ultimately, the article proposes that compilation must be re-evaluated not as a bureaucratic obligation but as a fundamental condition of cultural existence, requiring both institutional restructuring and a transformation in cultural awareness.