“The Balkans, Greece and Ferizli” talk held in Ferizli
A public talk titled “The Balkans, Greece and Ferizli” was held in Ferizli, focusing on the cultural traces and heritage left by Turks across the Balkan region.
The event was organized through the cooperation of Ferizli Municipality and the Sakarya Northern Region Association for Solidarity of Balkan and Rumelian Immigrants, with the participation of Prof. Dr. Mustafa İsen. The program took place at the Ferizli Public Education Center.
Among the attendees were Ferizli District Governor Muhammed Kaya, Söğütlü District Governor Mehmet Göze, Ferizli Mayor Mehmet Ata, Sakarya Commodity Exchange Chairman Mustafa Genç, President of the Sakarya Northern Region Association for Solidarity of Balkan and Rumelian Immigrants Erol Ulu, association members, and many local residents.
In his address, Prof. Dr. Mustafa İsen provided information on the settlement process of populations who migrated from the Balkans to Sakarya and Ferizli through population exchange during the Ottoman and early Republican periods. Emphasizing that Sakarya is a city shaped by migration, İsen offered evaluations on the region’s demographic structure and cultural richness.
İsen also spoke about the cultural traces and historical works left by Turks in the Balkans, stating that Turkey bears a responsibility toward the Muslim and Turkish populations that still live in the region today. He stressed that business circles and civil society organizations should engage more actively in the Balkans, underlining the importance of strengthening such ties.
Pointing to the prevalence of micro-nationalist approaches in Balkan countries, Prof. Dr. İsen said, “The most defining characteristic of the Balkans is micro-nationalism. Each country pursues ideals such as ‘Greater Bulgaria,’ ‘Greater Macedonia,’ or ‘Greater Serbia.’ Given the limited territories, such approaches cannot bring lasting peace to the region.”
At the end of the program, Prof. Dr. Mustafa İsen was presented with flowers and various gifts in appreciation of his participation. Following the talk, he signed copies of his book titled “Turkish Traces in Greece” for attendees.
