Head of Advisory Board Trampa: “Our Turkish language is our identity” on World Turkic Language family day
The Chairman of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Council (BTTADK) and Mufti of İskeçe, Mustafa Trampa, issued a written statement on the occasion of Dec. 15, World Turkic Language Family Day, underlining the vital importance of the Turkish language for identity, culture and collective memory.
In his message, Trampa emphasized that language is not merely a means of communication but a fundamental carrier of identity, culture and shared historical consciousness. He stressed that preserving and sustaining the Turkish language is of critical importance for the Muslim Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.
“World Turkic Language Family Day reminds us of the global spread, historical depth and cultural strength of Turkish and the Turkic languages,” Trampa said. He noted that the Turkic language family is spoken across a vast geography stretching from Central Asia to the Balkans, and from Siberia to the Middle East, serving as the mother tongue of approximately 170–180 million people and as a second language for more than 200 million worldwide. With these figures, he added, the Turkic language family ranks among the five most widely spoken language families globally.
Highlighting the close link between language and identity, Trampa stated that protecting Turkish in Western Thrace means safeguarding the community’s existence and ensuring cultural continuity. He called on the community to take more conscious steps to protect their mother tongue.
Special emphasis was placed on minority education. Trampa underlined the importance of supporting minority schools, encouraging families to enroll their children in these institutions, and developing a shared sense of responsibility for their survival. He described bilingual education in minority schools as a significant advantage, enabling children to maintain a strong command of Turkish while also becoming proficient in Greek, the official language of the country.
“This bilingual model contributes positively to our children’s academic success, self-confidence and stronger participation in social life,” he said.
Concluding his message, Trampa called on the community to use Turkish correctly, pass it on to future generations and continue supporting minority schools. He expressed his hope that the Turkish language and culture would be transmitted strongly and confidently to coming generations.
Mustafa Trampa
Chairman, Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Council
Mufti of Xanthi
