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"Turkey in all its colours"
These days we experience different attempts to divide the world: The conflicts between Muslims and Christians, various monoethnic identities are all represented as if they were the unchangeable fate of the world's countries. Turkey has also been under close scrutiny for a long time due to her relations with the European Union. The discussions lead to the impression that both the European Union and Turkey are one-dimensional and monolithic entities. It seems to be that there are just two evident paths to walk on and that there is a line of division between Turkey and Europe.
Yet Turkey has many other options beyond this either/or. The Republic of Turkey, founded on a history of several hundred years of cultural coexistence, carries today the legacy of this incredible cultural richness. A closer look at literature, music, architecture and arts in Turkey reveals the influences of the Balkans, the Arabic and Persian traits and the contribution of the different ethnic and religious groups within the country. One can easily discern how all these aspects enrich and further each other, and how closely they are interweaved.
As we are opening our culture to the world, it is of no use to discuss which aspect is really Turkish and which a hybrid. We should respect and embrace this historical legacy of cultural diversity with gratitude. We should not adapt an ignorant and defensive attitude and deny this historic exchange and what we have in common. We have to learn to accept and appreciate the diversity we carry in us. This legacy is still alive in the Turkey of today, more than in any other country. If we can accept the richness and the plurality of identities as a pivotal power in our culture by pushing them into the foreground, we will be liberated from narrowmindedness; this will lead to a greater awareness of the current potential of our country.
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