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Most people in Istanbul are Anatolians, Kurds and Arabs. Nothing Balkan. It's like saying New York is more indigenous American than Greenland because it has a larger population, ignoring where that population came from.
On the other hand one could say that a notion of "Balkan Kurds" simply describes the contrast between Anatolian Turkish Kurds, Asian Kurds in general, or the rest of Diaspora Kurds, against the specific distinctions that might be exhibited by Kurds living in European Istanbul (so not the Asian side), in Eastern Thrace or perhaps in any of the Balkan countries.
This reminds me of how there are Anatolian Greeks who in theory could be described as not-European, and I have met a few, even online, who say that they are Asian Greeks and not European Greeks. Surely though, now one could call them European / Balkan Anatolian Greeks due to living there now for 3-4 generations and having immersed themselves in an European / Balkan environment, creating a contrast either against any that still exist in Anatolia, or at least against their non-Grecianized ancestors (and by "Grecianized" I merely mean "assimilated into the specific culture of Mainland Greece").
Thing is what we call Pontic Greeks is essentially "Pontic-descended Greeks". Anatolian Greeks no longer exist in Anatolia, and as more years pass, the less their descendants keep their separate identity, until eventually it's all gone. It's harsh to think like that, but the Anatolian part of Greek culture is gone.
You can make an argument about Turkish Thrace being Balkan culturally, but sorry Istanbul is definitely not Balkan. It would be like saying Belgrade is a Syrmian city.
If you are going culturally, you should also add western anatolia and cyprus to the list while removing Istanbul. And don't say they aren't geogeaphically Balkan, Romania too is geographically not Balkan at all but everyone accepts them as being Balkan
for those who are confused, Balkans are defined as south of Danube, so apart from northern Dobrudja Romania is not in Balkans
Well, yeah that's why I used it as a comparison. Istanbul is also "techincally" a Balkan city as it is partly on the Balkan peninsula. But Istanbul isnt culturally Balkan, and neither is Belgrade culturally Syrmian.
Real Turks of Balkan origin are almost gone from Istanbul — we’ve mostly moved deeper into Thrace. There’s even a saying in Turkey: “The Balkans begin after Silivri.” I have many Kurdish friends, they’re truly kind-hearted people, but they generally struggle to adapt to Thracian culture. So I personally don’t think something like “Balkan Kurds” really exists
You mean Balkan origin in the sense of bosniak/Albanian etc grandparents? Or Balkan in the sense of culturally ‘old-school’ Istanbul pre mass internal migration -
Bosniaks and Albanians mostly still live in Istanbul, but those whose grandparents came from Bulgaria, Romania, or Greece are almost gone. Even if some are still in the city, they are mostly assimilated by now.
Everybody born on Balkan soil is a Balkan boi/girl. That means half of Istanbul is Balkan.
I will fight for the right to be born Balkaner, regardless if you are looking black, asian or viking, if you plop from your mothers miđa on Balkan soil you become a Balkan boi (or girl).
Aren't most people in Istanbul from east Anatolia? At this point the native people are gone there. I would be more inclined to call the other part of Turkish Thrace balkan, but Istanbul definitely not
I can't say anything other than ignore what they say. They have fantasy histories and fantasy dreams. We are talking about a people whose greatest achievement is emigration. Anatolia, the Middle East and Asia were not enough, now they have their eyes on the Balkans. Good luck.
AskBalkans-ModTeam@reddit
Greetings,
Your post/comment was removed for violating Rule 5 of r/AskBalkans "No low quality content".
No reposts, no screenshots and no one-liner questions such as "thoughts?" and "opinions?" -- those are considered low quality content and not welcome in this sub. If a post of yours was removed and doesn't include any of the above, it was vague or repetitious: either specify what you want answered, or use the search bar to make sure your question hasn't been asked recently.
Cheers.
etnoexodus@reddit
Person living in the Balkans ≠ Balkaner
Fluid_Intention_875@reddit (OP)
Say it louder
Personal_Physics_525@reddit
No no, not louder. The Kurds might hear you and steal your soul.
ayayayamaria@reddit
Most people in Istanbul are Anatolians, Kurds and Arabs. Nothing Balkan. It's like saying New York is more indigenous American than Greenland because it has a larger population, ignoring where that population came from.
Lothronion@reddit
On the other hand one could say that a notion of "Balkan Kurds" simply describes the contrast between Anatolian Turkish Kurds, Asian Kurds in general, or the rest of Diaspora Kurds, against the specific distinctions that might be exhibited by Kurds living in European Istanbul (so not the Asian side), in Eastern Thrace or perhaps in any of the Balkan countries.
This reminds me of how there are Anatolian Greeks who in theory could be described as not-European, and I have met a few, even online, who say that they are Asian Greeks and not European Greeks. Surely though, now one could call them European / Balkan Anatolian Greeks due to living there now for 3-4 generations and having immersed themselves in an European / Balkan environment, creating a contrast either against any that still exist in Anatolia, or at least against their non-Grecianized ancestors (and by "Grecianized" I merely mean "assimilated into the specific culture of Mainland Greece").
ayayayamaria@reddit
Thing is what we call Pontic Greeks is essentially "Pontic-descended Greeks". Anatolian Greeks no longer exist in Anatolia, and as more years pass, the less their descendants keep their separate identity, until eventually it's all gone. It's harsh to think like that, but the Anatolian part of Greek culture is gone.
Elion04@reddit
"Kosovan" isn't even a thing, there's 1.4m Albanians in Kosovo and the rest 250-350k are Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks, Roma etc bruh
People here would hate to be put under a singular umbrella no matter how hard the EU etc try to push this issue.
big_cat112@reddit
Why does everyone want to be European? You also have Georgians hell even Kazakhstanis wanting to be considered part of Europe
XenophonSoulis@reddit
Georgians and Armenians are much closer to Balkaners in terms of culture than you think. Like really close.
geo0rgi@reddit
There are a lot of Armenians in Bulgaria and they assimilate really well to the culture
XenophonSoulis@reddit
Yes. There aren't as many differences as some people claim here.
Fluid_Intention_875@reddit (OP)
This thing just doesnt stop, now Jews and Arabs will apply for their position to be Balkan.
VeritableLeviathan@reddit
Wait until you hear about Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish people that never left Europe
Fluid_Intention_875@reddit (OP)
That still doesnt change the fact most Jews arent Balkan
basedfinger@reddit
I mean, there are Balkan Jews
frioke@reddit
are jews that live in america, american jews?
basedfinger@reddit
Yes?
Fluid_Intention_875@reddit (OP)
Why do you take literally everything that is said ? We know there are Jews in the Balkan but thats not the point
MLukaCro@reddit
You can make an argument about Turkish Thrace being Balkan culturally, but sorry Istanbul is definitely not Balkan. It would be like saying Belgrade is a Syrmian city.
Top-Classroom-6994@reddit
If you are going culturally, you should also add western anatolia and cyprus to the list while removing Istanbul. And don't say they aren't geogeaphically Balkan, Romania too is geographically not Balkan at all but everyone accepts them as being Balkan
for those who are confused, Balkans are defined as south of Danube, so apart from northern Dobrudja Romania is not in Balkans
MLukaCro@reddit
Neither of Anatolia, Cyprus or Romania are balkan.
Top-Classroom-6994@reddit
Fair, if you don't count Romania as Balkan you may say that. My comment was targeted to those who believe Romania is Balkan
Stverghame@reddit
Technically it is part of Srem, Banat and Šumadija
MLukaCro@reddit
Well, yeah that's why I used it as a comparison. Istanbul is also "techincally" a Balkan city as it is partly on the Balkan peninsula. But Istanbul isnt culturally Balkan, and neither is Belgrade culturally Syrmian.
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
I'm Vojvodinian - I live in New Belgrade 😁
Bata600@reddit
right side of the wrong river, bro.
Worried-Owl-9198@reddit
Real Turks of Balkan origin are almost gone from Istanbul — we’ve mostly moved deeper into Thrace. There’s even a saying in Turkey: “The Balkans begin after Silivri.” I have many Kurdish friends, they’re truly kind-hearted people, but they generally struggle to adapt to Thracian culture. So I personally don’t think something like “Balkan Kurds” really exists
Alexander241020@reddit
You mean Balkan origin in the sense of bosniak/Albanian etc grandparents? Or Balkan in the sense of culturally ‘old-school’ Istanbul pre mass internal migration -
Top-Classroom-6994@reddit
Old school Istanbul literally means Balkaner ancestors at some point in history, why should it matter?
Worried-Owl-9198@reddit
Bosniaks and Albanians mostly still live in Istanbul, but those whose grandparents came from Bulgaria, Romania, or Greece are almost gone. Even if some are still in the city, they are mostly assimilated by now.
1stFunestist@reddit
Everybody born on Balkan soil is a Balkan boi/girl. That means half of Istanbul is Balkan.
I will fight for the right to be born Balkaner, regardless if you are looking black, asian or viking, if you plop from your mothers miđa on Balkan soil you become a Balkan boi (or girl).
GSA_Gladiator@reddit
Aren't most people in Istanbul from east Anatolia? At this point the native people are gone there. I would be more inclined to call the other part of Turkish Thrace balkan, but Istanbul definitely not
RemorseAndRage@reddit
I'm sure Aegean and Black Sea regions of Turkey have much higher percentage of people who have European ancestry than Marmara.
tugayturkyilmaz@reddit
Exactly
2024-2025@reddit
Is that true? Sounds crazy.
Iapetus404@reddit
haha based Kurds
emirthewanda1@reddit
who are white muslims slavic muslims then
Fluid_Intention_875@reddit (OP)
?
Zealousideal_Cry_460@reddit
4 million how did he come to that number?
Erozbey@reddit
I can't say anything other than ignore what they say. They have fantasy histories and fantasy dreams. We are talking about a people whose greatest achievement is emigration. Anatolia, the Middle East and Asia were not enough, now they have their eyes on the Balkans.
Good luck. 
Fluid_Intention_875@reddit (OP)
Her biji Balkan😆
PieBright8211@reddit
Traxe0@reddit
Istanbul is definitely not Balkan.
arbDev@reddit
What is a Kosovan
Illustrious-Tea-8771@reddit
A made up word
berkakar@reddit
istanbul doesn't indicate anything. it's a proper metropol with diverse population which exceeds 16 fuckin million.
kostas_1@reddit
A BIG NO. Next please.
thelobstersbrain@reddit
Absolutely not 😅
ZhiveBeIarus@reddit
🤣🤣🤣