WE SAY EXCHANGE AND PASS IT AWAY Hamza Aksüt
Türkçe
WE CALL IT AN EXCHANGE Hamza Aksüt The population exchange is a migration process that started with the Balkan Wars. We approach and describe it with a total approach, but what sad experiences there are in this process, wasted labours, loves, lost earnings, properties... Having to leave your home, village, town where you spent your childhood and youth, never to see it again... Canan Tan's novel of longing is about a real love that took place during the exchange. The love of Tacettin and Patricia. Tacettin is from the bey family of the Cerit Turkmens who settled in the town of Keskin in Kırşehir. The tribe was exiled during the Ottoman period, suffered great hardships and finally managed to settle in Keskin and its villages. Tacettin was the youngest of ten siblings, five of whom were step-siblings and five were natural. With the 1915 deportation, the Armenian population lost its existence, leaving the Greeks, the most populous Christian community other than Muslims. Keskin was also in this situation. Muslim Turks and Christian Greeks lived in the town. Patricia is a young girl living with her mother. Tacettin, a civil servant in a government office, had not married even though he was over the age of marriage according to the criteria of that period. Tacettin falls in love with Patricia. The young girl reciprocates this love and they want to get married, but there is an insurmountable obstacle. Tacettin's family strongly opposes his marriage with a non-Muslim. Finally, forbidden love begins. Patricia's mother allows the two lovers to get together from time to time. After a while, Patricia gives birth to a son, whom they name Ali. Tacettin's two intimate friends, Aris and Artin, who spend their evenings at the tavern, are generally aware of what is going on. They also know that Tacettin is the father of the child. And the population exchange begins in Keskin. Greeks are sent to Greece. Patricia is sent with her son. From now on, living is a longing. Patricia starts to work for a Turkish baker in Greece. However, the Turkish baker is also subjected to the Exchange and leaves for Turkey, handing over his bakery to Patricia. Patricia changes Ali's name so that he does not know that his father is a Muslim. Tacettin is married off to a gentleman's daughter in an arranged marriage. But naturally, Patricia is always on his mind. Patricia remained faithful to her love and did not marry. Years pass by. Ali is drafted into the army and is wounded in the Second World War and is hospitalised. Aris, who is in the same hospital, recognises Ali and tells him the truth. Ali finds it difficult to accept the truth. He tells his mother about the situation. His mother tells him everything. After a while Ali comes to Keskin and finds his father. But interestingly, he cannot find the interest he expected from his father. Tacettin has lost his personality due to long years of longing. Ali returns to Greece to his mother. He tells her about his father's situation. Tajettin is now a pale personality. Patricia is a monument of loyalty. Let's end this article with Canan Tan's words: ‘Longing is the greatest bondage You're gone There's an oath between us Half yours and half mine If they say longing or death He would choose death Without hesitation Without blinking an eye’ With respect.
