|
....
But "living at the edge of Europe" also means that there is a great temptation to imitate Europe, to the detriment of one’s own culture. "Turkey is not a part of the West. I always repeat this and I will repeat it again, Turkey is an imitation of the West. Turkey has never been colonized by Europe and because we have no wounds [from colonization], it is easier to have praise for Europe. Atatürk himself was a perfect occidentalist."
..
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/domestic/10607679.asp?scr=1
This is an interesting view of Orhan Pamuk, based on Today now doubt. He says that Ataturk was an occidentalist: that was of course in 1922 ish, would he be that way today if he was alive? Would he be routing to belong to the EU? Would he see Turkey as an immitation of the west? I wonder.
I have travelled extensively in Turkey as I see it as two places. One of modernisation and western attitudes (not necessarily beliefs) and one of deep routed cultural values, beliefs and ways of life. From one end of Turkey to another, you go from internet access in every house (more or less) to no internet access or even reliable electricity.
Turkey only imitates the West where the West has an influence.
I am yet to understand this obsession with the West / East, where does it begin and where does it end?
|
