CULTURAL HERITAGE

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Background

My maternal grandparents migrated from France and my paternal grandparents migrated from Turkey. The name France was initially used to refer to the people who lived in the lower Rhineland. This was previously named as Gaul which mainly consisted of Celt population. However, after the Romans retreated due to the Frankish invasion, several territories around this region were called “Francia”. This name was kept until French sovereign kingdom. The term France came from the Franks who came from Portugal and Eastern Europe. After the medieval times, extended wars took place until France finally achieved a political unity under Louis the sixteenth when French replaced Latin as the official language in 1539. Currently around 4.5 million foreigners from various nations live in France. Political asylum has been provided to Czechs and Cambodians.

Turkey was founded in 1923 under the Ottoman Empire, which existed between 14th and early 20th century. It used to hold much of the Middle East along with Northern Africa and Southern Europe. The Ottoman Empire demised in World War 1. Until then, Turkey was considered as the Muslim capital of the world. After that Kamal Ataturk abolished the Muslim state and established Turkey as the Republic of Turkey. He adopted the western codes and abolished the Islamic ones. Vast majority of today's Turks resemble Southern Europeans. With the exception of some of the Kurds, most citizens of Turkey identify themselves as Turks both nationally and ethnically, regardless of their non-Turk ancestry.

Traditions and Culture

My family shares both, the French as well as the Turk cultures. The French cultures mainly included beheading the bottles of champagne with the use of a saber which is specially made. The legend has it that Hussards; the skilled cavalry in Napoleon's time would ride up from a good distance and behead the bottle, which a lady would be holding while still on the horse. This was done to celebrate victories. Another French tradition is the Christmas mass, which is attended by everyone in the family. After the mass our family gets together for a late dinner on the eve of Christmas. This was traditionally called le Réveillon (referring to the wake up or revival, alluding to the birth of Christ). The occasion of Easter is another important tradition for our family. Hugs and kisses are exchanged with the ringing of the church bells. It is believed that the flying bells leave on Thursday before the Good Friday taking all the misery of the crucifixion of the Christ. These bells reach Rome to the Pope and come back by Sunday morning bringing chocolate eggs. These eggs are hiding inside the house for the children to find. A silent but gleeful tradition is celebrated in my family. It is called the Bastille Day. Children light fire crackers at the night to celebrate this day. It marks the day when an angry mob of French citizens stormed and looted the much hated French Monarch of the time in 1789.

In our Kamal Ataturk is deeply hated ...