"Deep Turkey"
Issues choking the agenda overshadow the dynamism of the 'deep Turkey.' Dialogue Eurasia Platform, which is supported by the [Turkish] Journalists and Writers Union, brought 40 writers from nine different countries together with their readers on April 4. Over 1,000 book lovers witnessed the cultural feast at the Cemal Resit Rey Hall in Istanbul. The 75th birthday celebration of Cengiz Aytamov, one of the greatest living novelists and Kyrgyzstan's symbol, also added color and festivity to the event.
The writers of each country were invited to the stage by two students. One of the students is at a Turkish college in the writer's home country, while the other is attending a university here in Turkey.
Mr. Fethullah Gülen was awarded a plaquette for his book entitled, 'Eurasia's Horizons Book and Cultural Festival,' and his latest book, 'Love in the Essence of Human.' The honor of receiving the plaquette on behalf of Mr. Gülen, as head of the Board of Trustees of the Journalists and Union, was an unforgettable happiness for me.
Dialogue Eurasia Platform's Turkey Committee chief, history Prof. Ilber Ortayli, stressed that bridges that have been rebuilt between people and intellectuals in Eurasia, where ideologies were separated during the Cold War era, are very important for world peace. Since 1998, Dialogue Eurasia Platform has participated in many international projects that carry Turkey's experiences to Eurasia and bring Eurasia's experiences to Turkey.
On one hand, Turkey takes part in the project, walking with the Western world through the European Union (EU) membership process, and on the other hand, experiences the excitement of strengthening its own roots and claiming its own values. As Mr. Gülen put it, we as the Turkish nation, have more to contribute to humanity than take from it.
Here there are huge dynamics that we can call 'deep Turkey,' represented by volunteer foundations. Education institutions, expressing our people's broad horizon and supported by the people, have spread around the world, especially in the Eurasia region.
There is a side of the Asian geography that addresses our emotional part because Central Asia is the land of our ancestors. Recalling the great historical migration to Asia Minor 10 centuries ago, the move today by new education volunteers and entrepreneurs shows our nation's character and greatness in paying an obligation of loyalty back.
The enlightened new horizons of Eurasia point to a new process as well. We have been trying to integrate with the Western world since the 'Tanzimat' (Administrative Reforms) in 1839. However, we all know that the West has never accepted us even though we have never voiced this fact. France's attitude in a period, when the referenda in Cyprus will be held on April 24, is the last example of this reality. How many times have we suffered humiliation?
Gaining a strong position before the West and continuing our relations with the West as an equal country depend on our strong existence in Asia. Turkey disconnected from Asia is tantamount to being sentenced to die like a rootless tree.
While wondering about what the 'deep state' (state within a state) has said and done, we actually should try to see the horizons enlightened by the 'deep Turkey.'
ZAMAN
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