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What We Lost Over The Sea : The Turkish Diaspora and Their Cultural Heritage in Sweden

This thesis aimed to explore the experiences of Turkish immigrants living in Sweden, their perceptions of cultural heritage, and the ways in which they maintain connections to their culture, while observing the generational differences in cultural heritage values, with a focus on utilising Homi Bhabha’s concept of Third Space. Additionally, the concept of multiculturalism was studied. The study finds that the lack of official recognition of the diverse cultural practices and traditions of the Turkish diaspora can lead to feelings of alienation and marginalisation. The community's efforts to keep their cultural heritage alive individually are challenged by the absence of physical spaces and cultural policies that recognise their unique identity. Furthermore, the importance of making sure not to lose their cultural heritage, through the generations, is lifted. This study argues that it is essential to understand the personal cultural heritage of the Turkish diaspora and work with them beyond the assumption of their identity based on ‘official’ cultural heritage, which is essential for bridging the gap between their identity and the Swedish society's perception of them. Utilising Homi Bhabha's concept of the Third Space, this study argues that it is essential to work towards creating physical spaces and cultural policies that recognise and protect the cultural heritage of diasporic communities in Sweden. By doing so, we can celebrate the diversity of our society and build a more inclusive and understanding community. Ultimately, the preservation of the cultural heritage of the Turkish diaspora is crucial for their sense of belonging and cultural freedom, and the creation of a more inclusive and diverse society where all individuals feel seen, heard, and valued.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-506863
Date January 2023
CreatorsYurdagül, Sedef
PublisherUppsala universitet, Kulturvård
Source SetsDiVA Archive at Upsalla University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeStudent thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text
Formatapplication/pdf
Rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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