Marking my 8th year in Turkey several months ago, I recalled my first steps in here, remembering the things I missed. That time I felt like I was in an informational vacuum, but very strange one: I knew what is going on in the world, by was unable to learn or understand what is happening right next to me.
There were not many Russian people in here, apart from tourists, and I was happy to meet and chat with somebody who lived here and could speak Russian. Who could guess, that in 7 years the situation would changed that much. Now, there are many Russian people in Alanya and Mahmutlar (whether you like it or not), and some of them are even from my hometown. In the beginning of my way in here, I just could dream about it!
Whenever people come to a new place, they still try to surround themselves with familiar things and compatriots. In one book about Turkey, I read that many people come to Istanbul from Anatolia to find a better place and start a new life in there. However, the first thing most of them do, is find people from their hometowns or villages, who already live as a small community in Istanbul, and join them. Thus, many people from Turkish villages, who come to “conquer” Istanbul and start new life, simply lead life, according to traditions and mentality of their village. Thus, Istanbul resembles a huge colorful quilt of many different people from all over Turkey.
You can see the same in Alanya. Apart from people from many places of Turkey, searching for “the last chance” in a tourism sector, there are many people from all over the world, who have chosen this place as a new homeland. Every foreign commune brings in its traditions and culture to Alanya, making it more colorful and rich.
In last years, the foreigners, living in Alanya, set up Associations, built churches, we celebrate our national and religious holidays together their. In the libraries, set up by the volunteers, you can find books in various languages. We have newspapers and websites, supported by local foreigners, where we can learn the last news about Alanya and Mahmutlar and discuss the last developments in the region. What is more, there is a Municipality Foreigners Committee, which can voice the problems and requests of the local foreigners to Alanya authorities. And now I want to congratulate the Russian commune with the first Russian TV program on Alanya Television. Starting from September 29, every Thursday at 6 P.M. on Alanya Channel (“Kanal A”), you will be able to watch local news in Russian, presented by the President of Russian Speakers’ Mutual Help and Cooperation Association in Alanya (ARDID) Anjelika Anzhela. The program will be repeated on Friday at 8 P.M., and you can also watch it online on Alanya Channel’s website: http://www.kanalalanya.com
I hope, that all the changes and developments, made by the foreigners, living in this region, are for good. Turkish people are very hospitable and, so far, nobody told us “when in Rome do as the Romans do”, but always try to make their guests feel as comfortable as possible.
Have a good time! See you next Friday.
Polina Akar
