Europeanness versus Turkishness in a Turkish TV Sitcom: The Case of Avrupa Avrupa

Abstract

Juxtaposing Europeanness and Turkishness has always been a recurring theme in Turkish literature and media. In this study, an analysis of a Turkish sitcom entitled Avrupa Avrupa that was broadcast on Turkey’s only state-run TV channel is provided, focusing on how Turkishness and Europeanness are portrayed. It is found that the sitcom portrays Europeans and Turks through traditionally well-known, coarse stereotypes. It is inferred from the sitcom’s latent ideological messages that the EU may accept Turkey, although it is by no means a European country.