A case with posters in Bulgarian, in which there is not a single Turkish word, outraged the mayor of Edirne, reports 24rodopi.com.
The mayor of Edirne, Redzep Gyurkan, requested the creation of a commission to investigate the increasing number of Bulgarian signs and posters in the city. Traders defended themselves by arguing that the signs were useful to properly orient customers.
Due to the devaluation of the Turkish lira against the euro and leva, more and more tourists from Bulgaria come to Turkey to shop. Edirne is the first stop for Bulgarian tourists. The number of Bulgarians has significantly increased since last week, because travel is now only possible with an identity card.
Photo: 24rodopi.
Bulgarians who come to the city by private vehicles and tourist buses have lately preferred shops to markets because the quality and prices are clearer. With the increase in the flow of customers from Bulgaria, local merchants hung signs in Bulgarian in their shops.
Some companies even have advertising billboards only in Bulgarian on major boulevards and city entrances.
The increase in Bulgarian signs in the regional center created controversy in the public. The issue was also raised at a meeting of the Edirne Municipal Council.
The mayor of Recep Gyurkan stated that there is not a single Turkish word on the posters in question and that regulations should be introduced. He expressed the opinion that a commission should be created on the subject.
Gürkan stated: “As you know, we have had many foreign visitors in Edirne in recent months. Some of them come for tourism and some of them come for shopping purposes. With the increase in commercial activity here, the prices of goods in Edirne are rising. On the one hand and our people are not happy with this situation, but the merchants claim that the Bulgarians are the ones who support the economy of the area. We started to see posters without a single Turkish phrase on them. They are incomprehensible to the people living in the area.
I suggest that a committee be created in the municipality regarding this, that this committee work on the legislation, listen to the experts if necessary and make a decision on this matter in the coming months. Our city needs a definite decision and rules in this regard. Because the most important of the common values of the nation is the language. If you lose your language, you lose everything.”
Gyurkan stated that there are absolutely no complaints about Bulgarian citizens coming to the city: “It is necessary to set a standard. We saw a billboard with the governor of the region last year, but it was in a different language. There is not a single word of Turkish. The billboards should have the same information also in Turkish, so that they are understandable for us as well.”
Clothing merchant Metin Barmanbai stated that there are many Bulgarian posters hanging in shops in the city. He thinks the discussion is unnecessary. “The best buyers now are our clients from Bulgaria. We have enough ads in both Turkish and Bulgarian. We are the merchants who pay the most advertising tax per square meter. The municipality of Edirne must first address the other needs of the people,” he concluded.
Gulhan Ali, who came from Bulgaria, said that the signs in Bulgarian are useful: “I think it’s very nice because people from Bulgaria have a hard time with the Turkish signs. Because understandably, many of them do not know Turkish, nor do they understand the language. When they read, they find what they are looking for more easily. Traders here are also happy with foreign customers. There should be even more explanatory signs. Bulgarians don’t know some products, they don’t know their names, it’s difficult for them. I don’t think they should be reduced, their number should be increased,” she said.
