Viewing Turkish TV series in Skopje: Audience memories on travelling cultural products

Abstract

Despite gradually increasing consumption patterns, the notion of memory remains a key concept that is rarely drawn on by scholars to better understand television (TV) series. This research contributes to the existing literature on the reception of Turkish TV series in the specific case of Macedonian audiences by conducting interviews in Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia. By focusing on a majority Christian demographic that does not speak Turkish and has no familial bonds to Turkish people, this study hopes to move beyond cultural proximity arguments. The findings suggest the crucial importance of photographic (eidetic) and prosthetic memories from mediated accounts of Turkish series in creating cultural and collective affinities with local audiences.