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A Short Introduction to Turkish Culture

A Short Introduction to Turkish Culture

A Short Introduction to Turkish Culture

A Short Introduction to Turkish Culture

When visiting Turkey, you will quickly learn that being social is an essential element of Turkish culture. Turkish people like making new acquaintances and will happily spend a whole day conversing with a total stranger while setting the world to rights. People from reserved nations may be taken aback by the friendliness offered to everyone. Here is a short introduction to Turkish culture.

Turkish Culture Background

Turkey has a very diverse culture that combines aspects of the Oğuz Turkic and Anatolian, Ottoman (a continuation of both Greco-Roman and Islamic civilizations), and Western culture and customs, which began with the Westernization of the Ottoman Empire and continues today. This mingling is the consequence of Turks and their culture colliding with the peoples that met them on their way from Central Asia to the West. As Turkey successfully transitioned from the religion-based previous Ottoman Empire to a modern nation-state with a solid separation of state and church, there was an increase in creative expression techniques.

During the initial years of the republic, the government put a lot of money into the arts, including museums, theaters, and architecture. Turkish culture is a combination of efforts to be "modern" and Western, mixed with the requirement felt to retain traditional religious and historical values due to many historical circumstances playing a significant part in defining current Turkish identity.

Turkish Music and Literature

Turkish music and literature are excellent instances of this mixing of cultural influences. As a result of the interaction between the Ottoman Empire and the Islamic world, as well as Europe, many schools of music are popular throughout Turkey, ranging from "arabesque" to hip-hop genres, contributing to a blend of Central Asian Turkic, Islamic, and European traditions in modern-day Turkish music. Throughout much of the Ottoman era, Turkish literature was significantly inspired by Persian and Arabic literature. Still, towards the end of the Ottoman Empire, the impact of both Turkish folk and Western literary traditions was more felt. The clash of cultural influences is intensified.

Invitation to Guests

Turkish people like to invite loved ones to their houses. It might be for breakfast or a formal evening dinner. Shoes are typically not permitted in the home. You will instead be handed a pair of slippers. If you're heading out to supper, make sure you have a full stomach. The main course will be substantial, followed by nuts, fruits, cake, tea, and Turkish coffee.

Social Gatherings

Even if you've only known a Turkish person for a few days, you're likely to be asked to a wedding or circumcision party. The slogan here is "the more, the merrier." The family and their history determine the availability of alcohol at the gathering.