Turkiya, geographically and culturally – what is your opinion?

Posted by ElectionBright3106@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 44 comments

Frequently asked question, hot topic.

Geographically speaking, most of Turkey lies in Asia Minor (Anatolia), with the exception of the European part, Eastern Thrace, which is located on the Balkan Peninsula.

When comparing the people of Eastern Thrace with Turks in Germany, very significant differences emerge.

Eastern Thrace was and is known for its heavy alcohol consumption.

Cultural Muslims.

Strongly influenced by Kemalism.

Descendants of Balkan Turks and other ethnic Muslims from the Balkans, much Romani, as well as some Anatolians who migrated there.

[-]

Odiumhumanigeneris@reddit

Geographically \~5% european \~95% Asian

Culturally, Balkan, Caucasian, Central Asian, Mediterranean, Levantine, Anatolian and whatnot, on a gradient

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

ben trakyaliyim. avrupaliyim.

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

babababa

[-]

Pantolonun_Utulusu@reddit

As an east thracian, I feel right at home in Bulgaria, Romania and east Greece; I think it is the closest a culture could be, considering Turkey is a muslim country.

[-]

Pantolonun_Utulusu@reddit

Maybe you are from the Roma population of Romania?

[-]

floare_salbatica@reddit

Roma are closer to you as far as lifestyle is concerned, so no. ;)

[-]

Pantolonun_Utulusu@reddit

Ah then, I saw some people when I visited the Belgrade zoo that did not look so much balkan, maybe you are one of those people?

[-]

floare_salbatica@reddit

Typical! And then you act surprised that people don't like you.

[-]

Pantolonun_Utulusu@reddit

I leave a generous tip wherever I go, man. Everybody loves me. They will love you, too; if you stop certain activities.

[-]

Archaeopteryx111@reddit

Depends which part of Romania you go to.

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

edirne, tekirdag or kiklareli province?

[-]

Pantolonun_Utulusu@reddit

I’m originally from Edirne, but I live in Tekirdag area these days.

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

ah ok...cool

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

yes you are right, i agree with you.

[-]

It's so simple, eastern Thrace is Europe and all the rest is not, turkey is an asian nation with a small territory in Europe, that dont make them European, same way Franch having oversea territory don't make it south America

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

its not so simple...because the population in easthern thrace is different...balkan turks, Pomaks, Gajals anc romani so not the same as anatolian turks, kurds, assyrians etc.

[-]

Key_Waltz_5860@reddit

In fact, I have never said anything to the contrary, I know well that most of the inhabitants of thracia are Turkified European locals (not all, but most) .

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

The problem is the image that most foreigners have of Turkey, shaped by the media, especially by the Turkish guest workers in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, who once predominantly came from very poor, conservative regions of Eastern Anatolia.

But this image of Eastern Anatolians (often also Kurds) simply doesn't fit the image of Turkish Thracians.

Even in the diaspora, Turkish Thracians have their own cultural associations and distance themselves from the very religious Turks of Eastern Anatolia in Germany.

[-]

vaslui-berceni@reddit

Some stupid people like some americans usually believe once you pass the border from bulgaria to turkey, thats it, you just passed into asia and everything is a desert with camels or something. Burqas and black people only.

As a romanian who travelled to Turkey a few dozen times, can speak a bit the language and have a ton of friends, no, Turkey is a mix, you can't define Turkey and the Balkans. And color of skin is just a social construct which does not even matter at the end of the day ( unless you are a racist piece of shit).

Drinking is and was always part of Turkey, Balkans, Iran and muslim countries, banning it is like banning drugs in Europe, people still do it regardless, you can even be muslim and drink.

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

Yes, that's true. Turkish Thrace, in particular, is hardly known abroad. The media only shows Istanbul, or areas like Antalya, and especially Eastern Anatolia. The problem is also that the image of Turks abroad is shaped primarily by the Turks living in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, most of whom came from Eastern Anatolia as guest workers. That image is in their minds. But people from Turkish Thrace don't fit into this image. Because Turkish Thracians, in particular, are fun-loving people who have always drunk a lot of alcohol (with the problem that most of Turkey's alcoholics live there these days). Tekirdag Raki is the national drink, but other types of alcohol are also consumed. Religiously, they have always been considered lax Muslims compared to those in Eastern Anatolia. The people in Turkish Thrace are descendants of Balkan Muslims, and not Eastern Anatolians.

Feedback geben

[-]

Novel_Scallion_1580@reddit

I can tell you that Edirne doesn't fell like a European city, but the city is relatively clean and there are shops/malls everywhere that are frequently visited by Bulgarians. I think Turkey now is a mix of Islam and Americanism (consumerism basically), not really a European civ. On the other hand, when you go to the seaside, the small towns look very much like other Mediterranean coastal cities found in Greece, Italy, Spain. Overall, I would say Turkey is its own thing and a rather unique place.

[-]

Seel_Fucker_7309@reddit

Bro I lived in Edirne for years and I can say it's not European but a classic Balkan city. I felt the same way when I'm in Western Thrace. I think we should accept europe as really diverse continent. Balkans and Western/ northern Europe really different from each other but somehow both European.

[-]

desertedlamp4@reddit

Your country banned trans identity and LGBT education in school and refused to ratify Istanbul Convention btw

[-]

Shamara_Misho@reddit

thats relevant how...?

[-]

desertedlamp4@reddit

But yeah we are a mix of Islam, when your countries in EU openly discriminate against LGBT people, ban abortion, ban divorce (Malta until 2011), it's all benevolent and okay

[-]

Jnyl2020@reddit

You are correct about Americanism part. (I've never been to Edirne so idk about the rest)

[-]

desertedlamp4@reddit

He's projecting with the Islam thing, there are EU countries that refuse to recognize trans identity, don't ratify Istanbul Convention, ban abortion, ban divorce (Malta until 2011), but they're so concerned when it comes to Muslims, it's not like Malta banned divorce because of "humanitarian reasons", it was definitely based on Catholic (religious) values

[-]

Novel_Scallion_1580@reddit

Don't really understand why are you attacking me tbh. I haven't projected Islam is bad or something, it's just different than Christianity. If you don't like Bulgaria, that's fine. What we are teaching kids at school is our own business.

[-]

Kejo2023@reddit

I live in Western Europe. Bulgaria doesn't feel European. Balkans don't feels European. What now? Anatolia is LITERALLY the birthplace of the Christian Church, Byzantine and many Civilizations that have shaped what 'we' define as 'Europe' today. Where do you draw the line? German Catholics, Slaves, and South Europeans weren't considered white in the US just 80 years ago. IDENTITIES ARE ARTIFICIAL BORDERS.

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

Ben trakyaliyim, anadolu deglim.

[-]

Kejo2023@reddit

I'm tired of reading this question.

[-]

ElectionBright3106@reddit (OP)

eee ?? bea?? what? so block

[-]