Understanding and loving a country

It was 2013, autumn, and I was coming to Türkiye. The plane departing from Chișinău was going to land at the airport that still bore Atatürk's name at the time. I was coming to one of the world's most magnificent metropolises, Istanbul.

I set out to "conquer" Istanbul with a suitcase full of dreams and plans, but the exact opposite happened: Istanbul conquered me. But over time, I realized that not only Istanbul, but all of Türkiye had conquered me.

For some, 10 years might be enough to understand a country and a people, but I don't think it was enough for me. Even though I constantly read and follow the events in the country, even today I find it difficult to comment on the problems that Turks face on a daily basis. When my family, friends, or other foreigners ask me, "How is Türkiye?" I am aware that it is a difficult question with many answers. And the answer to this question will be different for every person.

For people passionate about culture and civilization, Türkiye is the right place to learn something new every day. The country's public agenda is so full and diverse that it is impossible to get bored. The mosaic of cultures, religions, and ethnic origins is an invaluable wealth of this country.

It is said that when you know a nation's language well enough, you can understand it better. Only by knowing a country's language can a person understand the psychology and behavior of a people, and I do not deny this. Personally, I think the Turkish language, with its richness and depth, is a language that deserves to be ranked higher among foreign languages, and I hope this can be solved through joint efforts in the next 100 years of the Republic.

Türkiye is a true country of contrasts; it takes time to understand this. It is an incredibly beautiful country, or as the Turks say: "A country like paradise," and the feeling I have for this country is a confession of love. Its natural resources, geographical location, and seas—if all these can be evaluated rationally, they could provide a huge advantage to Türkiye.

In addition to the eye-catching natural landscapes or unique historical sites, tourists or foreigners coming to Türkiye are, above all, fascinated by the humanity of the Turks. With its typical Mediterranean, or even uniquely Eastern natural warmth, Türkiye is a country where humanity is at home.

I admire the pride Turks feel for their homeland and their love for their country; I even envy it most of the time. Every year on November 10, at 9:05 AM, when you commemorate Atatürk, when you all freeze wherever you are—on the street, at home, in traffic—I am moved to tears.

Many people do not have the chance to experience that unique sense of gratitude you feel when commemorating Atatürk. You are lucky people because not everyone in this life can say, "How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!" There is no other nation in this world that has an Atatürk like yours, and I am grateful to you for this lesson in patriotism.

For the next 100 years, I wish for a Türkiye where politicians do not aim only to struggle for political power, but struggle for the rights and freedoms of all people regardless of ethnic origin, sect, identity, or ideology, and where all its citizens live in peace and tranquility. Be a country that can command the admiration of other countries, just as it did 100 years ago!

Happy birthday, Republic of Türkiye! Thank you for everything!

Dr. Violeta Stratan İlbasmış

journalist, researcher