As part of the “Balkans Residents in Kocaeli Project” led by the Balkan Turks Culture and Solidarity Association, the life stories of migrants who moved to Kocaeli from various Balkan countries over different years are being recorded.
Association members are also conducting visits in Bulgaria to hear firsthand accounts from individuals who were subjected to the country’s assimilation policies in 1972-1973.
During a visit to Barutin Village in the Dospat district of Smolyan, Bulgarian Turks recounted the events they had witnessed, often with tears.
Following the testimonies, association members laid carnations at a monument dedicated to those who lost their lives opposing forced name changes and offered prayers for their compatriots.
The delegation also visited Kornitsa and Breznitsa villages in the Gotse Delchev (Nevrekop) region, attending memorial services for those who perished under the pressures of Bulgaria’s assimilation policies at different times.
Preserving Memories for Future Generations
The association continues to document the life stories and personal experiences shared during these visits. The collected accounts will be published in magazines, ensuring that the hardships endured are passed on to future generations.
“The Project is Designed to Teach Lessons from History”
Bayram Çolakoğlu, Honorary President of the association, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that one of the main reasons for migration was the systemic pressures faced by Turks in Bulgaria.
He emphasized that forced name changes were among these pressures and acknowledged that unwanted incidents occurred during that period. Çolakoğlu added that the project will conclude after the ongoing field visits:
“This initiative is designed to draw lessons from past events and to raise awareness. A fundamental truth is that history does not repeat itself—unless we fail to learn from it. Our goal is to show the younger generation the hardships and injustices faced by their ancestors so that they remain vigilant and take heed. These villages are prime examples. They are communities that fought to preserve their identity against enforced assimilation.”
Çolakoğlu highlighted that Turks living in Bulgaria closely follow the association’s work and that their efforts are widely welcomed.
He also noted that Bulgarian Turks see Turkey as integral to their own cultural identity:
“They care about our well-being even more than their own. This perspective is vital. These regions are part of our heartlands and ancestral heritage, not just ordinary political borders. During our visits, one individual became visibly emotional while recounting those days. These memories have not been forgotten, and there is concern that the younger generation may not fully appreciate them. Today, under the banner of universality, there is pressure to homogenize communities. While concepts such as equality and brotherhood are widely promoted, in reality, dominant powers often pursue political agendas that go unnoticed by those affected. What these people want is to remember past struggles and, by learning from them, stand strong on their own feet.”
Source: haberbg.net
