An example of the reflection of Turkish-Greek relations in oral tradition: "Atina Türküsü"

Abstract

"Atina Türküsü", which is a reflection of Turkish-Greek relations in the oral tradition, has its roots in a real historical event that took place at time of the Turkish War of Liberation, while the Greek occupied western Anatolia. In "Atina Türküsü", which can be regarded as an "event oriented folk song", we find the tragic story of a Turkish girl who is taken to Greece by force and remains in Athens for a while. On her way back to Turkey, she has to throw her children into the sea. This folk song, usually sung in western Anatolia, is remarkable espacially for its topic, which is one very rarely addressed in this kind of song.