Ottoman Revival: TIKA Teaches Kosovo Students How to Flourish in a Language that Once Conquered Them

[ad_1]
In a dazzling display of cultural generosity that can only be described as “empire vibes,” the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has gifted a makeover to the Turkish Language and Literature Department at Hasan Pristina University in Kosovo. Because nothing says “we love your independence” like a fresh coat of paint and a few Ottoman-themed throw pillows!

At a ceremony resembling a high school graduation party, TIKA Vice President Mahmut Çevik celebrated the agency’s “invaluable” contribution to Kosovo since 2005—750 projects in Total! Who knew that refurbishing classrooms could help undo centuries of historical trauma? “It is impossible to separate nations from their culture, history, and language,” he mused, as if history hadn’t already given him enough material to work with.

With a proud investment of around €6 million—a shockingly specific number probably sourced from TIKA’s prestigious economic calculator—Çevik announced that 121 projects related to the Turkish language and culture were underway. Seriously, they must have a whole department dedicated to counting “cultural revitalizations” in the Balkans. Maybe they’re just an elaborate scheme to stockpile Turkish dictionaries for those awkward dinner conversations where you have nothing to say.

Enter Türkiye’s ambassador to Kosovo, Sabri Tunç Angılı, who, while praising the Turkish Studies department’s contribution to Kosovo’s cultural landscape, waxed poetic about the long, winding road of historical roots. His confidence that Kosovo will continue to be a cultural epicenter could rival that of a fortune cookie—generously optimistic, yet quite detached from the current reality.

Fikrim Damka, the leader of the Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party, chimed in, emphasizing how important it is for students to correctly pass on the Turkish language. News flash: the students might just be looking for a bus route to the nearest Starbucks, rather than practicing their verb conjugations.

Meanwhile, Naim Jerliu, the vice rector, gushed over TIKA’s contributions as if they were launching a brand new sitcom about friendship and diplomacy. “This project is a strong testament to productive cooperation!” he declared, undoubtedly feeling like they were one step closer to brokering peace over a cup of Turkish tea.

The ceremony wrapped up with the presentation of the “Great Turkish Dictionary”—a charming gift that people will likely facepalm over once they realize it doubles as a doorstop. After all, who needs to internalize their national identity when they have a tangible object to remind them of their cultural allegiance?

Ah, TIKA’s grand mission to “preserve and promote” Turkish culture abroad has never looked so absurd. Let’s just hope this educational endeavor is less about glorifying the Ottoman past and more about helping students figure out how to survive in the present. But hey, what’s a little irony among friends built on history? After all, cultural ties are only as strong as the mistakes we pretend never happened.