Post by Emperor AAdmin on Jun 26, 2021 9:21:58 GMT -5
Turkish TV series and the Balkans: Bridging the gap
Halime Pehlivan 4 days ago
For the viewership in southeastern Europe, Turkish television series satisfy intellectual curiosity,
For the viewership in southeastern Europe, Turkish television series satisfy intellectual curiosity,
forge cultural understanding and question centuries-old prejudices.
A few years ago, the Turkish TV series were said to have increased divorce rates in Baghdad.
A few years ago, the Turkish TV series were said to have increased divorce rates in Baghdad.
However, despite the negative spin, people in the Middle East became addicted to them. So what
effect did they have on Western neighbours of Turkey?
In 2008, I turned on one of the most-watched Bulgarian channels, Nova TV, and saw “Binbir Gece”
In 2008, I turned on one of the most-watched Bulgarian channels, Nova TV, and saw “Binbir Gece”
(1001 Nights). Nevertheless, that was just the beginning. Then came Gumus, Ezel, Yaprak Dokumu
(When Leaves Fall), and many more took over the prime time of the most-watched televisions and
online platforms in the country. These soap operas reached tremendous popularity. At some point,
I have been constantly asked for spoilers – “How many more heart attacks will Ali Riza have?”. Even
more, a famous talk show satirized the character in sketches; thus, his iconic “I do not feel well”
transformed into a popular one-liner joke.
Interestingly, in the commentary sections, people were asking if these soap operas represent Turkish
Interestingly, in the commentary sections, people were asking if these soap operas represent Turkish
life? Well, since Gossip Girls’ Upper East Side does not depict the average American’s life, ditto Adnan
Ziyagil’s mansion is far from representing the living standards of an average Turk. But, then again,
some entrenched stereotypes remain deep-seated, such as the expectation to find camels in Istanbul.
Once part of the Ottoman Empire, Balkan nations have still mixed feelings toward their shared heritage.
Once part of the Ottoman Empire, Balkan nations have still mixed feelings toward their shared heritage.
However, research shows that people who follow the Turkish series have more positive impressions of
Turkey than those who do not watch them.
In 2011, Bulgaria became the second-biggest customer of Turkish TV series worldwide. The situation in
In 2011, Bulgaria became the second-biggest customer of Turkish TV series worldwide. The situation in
the other Balkan countries was not very different. For example, in North Macedonia, the series
constituted the most-watched content after the news. Similarly, in 2009 “Aci Hayat” (Bitter Life) became
the most viewed program in Kosovo. Likewise, inspired by the Turkish series “Ezel”, Romanian producers
adapted its script to produce “Vlad”.
However, in parts of southeastern Europe, breaking prejudices is not an unequivocal undertaking. Many
However, in parts of southeastern Europe, breaking prejudices is not an unequivocal undertaking. Many
reasons, ranging from religious differences to negative attitude toward the Ottomans, still shape the
mindset of many. As a result, some governments chose to build their historical narratives around
“chosen traumas'' and “imaginary victories.” In this context, the Battle of Kosovo has been used
(and abused) to construct Serbia’s national identity. Thus, Serbian war criminal Ratko Mladic
described the genocide of Srebrenica as a victory, as revenge for the alleged trauma that took
place after the Battle of Kosovo.
Against this backdrop, few radical groups in Serbia launched campaigns to stop the broadcast of
Against this backdrop, few radical groups in Serbia launched campaigns to stop the broadcast of
some Turkish television series, but that did not affect their popularity. On the other hand, in North
Macedonia, despite the ratings, a bill banned the Turkish TV series in 2012. Ivo Ivanoski, then
Minister of Information, asserted: “The Turkish series is wonderful, but we cannot forget 500 years
of servitude under the Ottoman Empire.”
In a similar vein, the series’ broadcasting in Greece was labelled an “invasion”. However, the ebbs
In a similar vein, the series’ broadcasting in Greece was labelled an “invasion”. However, the ebbs
and flows of politics on both sides of the Aegean Sea did not abate the audience’s interest in the
“Magnificent Century.”
How did these series become so popular?
According to Joseph Straubhaar, Professor of Communications in the School of Journalism at The
How did these series become so popular?
According to Joseph Straubhaar, Professor of Communications in the School of Journalism at The
University of Texas, audiences tend to choose programs most culturally relevant or proximate. That
cultural proximity has a strong tie with multi-layered, elaborate cultural identities. Within this frame
of reference, Ratko Bozvic, Serbian sociologist, says that “the mentality depicted in those shows
has to do with a traditional understanding of morality that people in Serbia remember at some level.”
Similarly, Erik H. Erikson, a prominent name in psychoanalytic identity theory, specifies identification
Similarly, Erik H. Erikson, a prominent name in psychoanalytic identity theory, specifies identification
as the initial emotional connection with a person or object. Namely, the Turkish Tv series contains
this resonance to make the audience feel familiarity.
Besides, research points out that there are three major factors in perceiving and interpreting
Besides, research points out that there are three major factors in perceiving and interpreting
audio-visual entertainment. First, emotional self-preservation: experience mediates feelings to ignore
the exhaustion of reality. Second, intellectual curiosity: learning about the world. Last, subjective
positionality–delve into your own personalities and explore the positioning in life. Turkish series
successfully provides all these premises.
The consequent boom in tourism is a natural result of the awakened intellectual curiosity. The stunning
The consequent boom in tourism is a natural result of the awakened intellectual curiosity. The stunning
scenery of Istanbul turned Turkey into a top tourist destination for people from the Balkans. Moreover,
attractive tours to the sets and meeting actors became in enormous demand.
Yasemin Y. Celikkol, a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University in Qatar, attributes the
Yasemin Y. Celikkol, a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University in Qatar, attributes the
series’ success to the feeling of familiarity. The series “Falling Leaves” is “about the terrible things that
happen to families when they move to cities,” and it was a big hit in Bulgaria. Celikkol associates it with
the rural-urban migration in the country.
Furthermore, according to Straubhaar, the television series bypasses regional and national borders thanks
Furthermore, according to Straubhaar, the television series bypasses regional and national borders thanks
to the melodrama genre. People love the series because they take a break from reality (financial crises,
corruption etc.). At the same time, they discover unknown places which still exhibit similar family values.
In southeastern Europe, for many decades, Turkey was a ghost from the past. However, thanks to television
In southeastern Europe, for many decades, Turkey was a ghost from the past. However, thanks to television
series and other cultural assets, there is a new willingness to satisfy intellectual curiosity, forge cultural
understanding and question centuries-old prejudices.
In his “Critique of Pure Reason,” Immanuel Kant states that mutual identities emerge through mental
In his “Critique of Pure Reason,” Immanuel Kant states that mutual identities emerge through mental
foundations as “friend/enemy,” “agreement/conflict,” “us/them.” Moreover, differentiation in these factors
affect the identification process; change and shape it. The identities in the Balkans developed in the same
way. They created and completed each other.
Sometimes “us” needs to meet “them.” The Turkish television series reminded people that –they can be
Sometimes “us” needs to meet “them.” The Turkish television series reminded people that –they can be
different yet so similar. Crying for similar tragedies, just in other languages; split by borderlines but
sharing the same feelings.
Source: TRT World
Source: TRT World