Just back from Ankara. Not my first time there, but my first stay in Ankara's Swiss Hotel. I know that Turks like to get everything overheated, so my nice room. Took me some time to discover how to open the windows; I need fresh air during the night.
Yes, I like the residential areas of Ankara, with its streets full of trees. In Istanbul they replaced a complete forest for some apartment buildings.
But what always depress me in Ankara are the government buildings, the apartments complex for the average Turks full with Ataturk pictures, statues, flags, and so on. Ankara looks like the former East European block countries: no fantasy at all regarding design.
Nothing wrong about Ataturk and his well being soul, but is he not a little bit over exposed everywhere?
As the founder of the modern republic and the first President of Turkey, people adore him as a god. But nation states have to move one. Was and is there not any other Turkish president who did a lot for the 'well being' of Turkey?
Just a simple question...
Anyway, I baptised Ankara in Ataturk City! Not one Turk came up with this idea, so I did it...
1 comment:
I don't think you understand the "Ataturk" thing very well which is understandable, you coming from another culture, another history. It is a hard concept, it took my husband (American) years to get it although he read about him, pretty much "studied" him and lived in Turkey.
I wish we had fewer busts of him but had a better understanding of his vision for Turkey.
And, no, I don't take him like a God. I am an Atheist. :o)
Oh, I do hate Ankara's buildings! But has a spectacular history museum and so very close to some amazing archaeological sites. But, you are right, what an ugly mess!
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