Uproar In Turkey over Gov’t Prioritizing a Name change for the Country over Sinking Economy #helloTürkiye

( Globalvoices.org ) – Turkey’s Communications Directorate launched a new campaign #helloTürkiye on January 14, in an attempt to “raise global awareness about using the country’s original name.” In a statement issued by the Presidency’s Director of Communications, Fahrettin Altun said, “We believe that it is significant to use the phrase ‘Türkiye’ in the international arena in order to further strengthen our country’s brand and reputation.” The rebrand follows a presidential circular signed on December 4, 2021, requiring the use of “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey” in all correspondence with other states, international institutions, and organizations.

The circular issued in December, further reads:

The phrase ‘Türkiye’ symbolises and conveys the Turkish nation’s culture, civilisation, and values in the best way possible. As part of this, the phrase ‘Made in Türkiye’ instead of ‘Made in Turkey’ began to be used in our export products; as a result, our products, which are the pride of our country in international trade, are promoted and presented to the rest of the world using the ‘Türkiye’ branding. Our aim is now to represent our state and nation’s thousands of years of experience in every sector under the ‘Türkiye’ brand.

According to Middle East Eye, an online news platform, Turkish officials have already started the process of registering the new name with the United Nations. “The exact timing for the name change is still under consideration by the government, but the process is ongoing,” reported Middle East Eye quoting a senior Turkish official.

While Altun and the President have emphasized that the rebranding would strengthen the country’s reputation, others joked that the campaign is meant to disassociate the country from a certain homonymous bird. “Type ‘Turkey’ into Google, and you will get a muddled set of images, articles, and dictionary definitions that conflate the country with Meleagris – otherwise known as the turkey, a large bird native to North America – which is famous for being served on Christmas menus or Thanksgiving dinners,” reported TRT World.

As the country grapples with soaring inflation, pundits say this is not the time for rebranding, nor there is any point in doing so.

Others criticize the government’s choice to use taxpayer money on this rebrand when there are countless other issues plaguing the community such as a recession, job loss, unchecked violence, gender discrimination, and an Omicron surge, among others.

Via Globalvoices.org