More Than a Dance: Unwrapping Turkish Culture at HSE Unity Fest

Habip Bardakci unravels the story behind Zeybek dance and breaks biases about his culture at HSE Unity Fest.

Photo from Freepik

HSE Unity Day transforms our university into a vibrant global village. To delve beyond the surface of one rich culture, I spoke with Habip Bardakci, a member of Turkish Club and a Master’s student in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication. Dressed in striking traditional attire, he shared the deeper meaning behind his performance and the values he hopes to convey. Join us to explore Turkish culture through his eyes, from the powerful symbolism of dance to the flavours of shared food and honest conversations about stereotypes.

Habip, what are you wearing today? Is it your national costume?

It is a traditional dress of “Efe” who usually performs this dance. These people have a historical background. They defended their region against the invaders by organizing the local people in their villages and towns. Nowadays it is not used as a daily dress, so we wear it only on some events.

What is HSE Unity Fest for you?

Unity Fest is the best example of harmony and cultural diversity of our university. Every student has an opportunity to represent their rich culture, perform their dances, sing their songs, offer their traditional food. But the most important thing is that we can do it in a peaceful and respectful way no matter where we are from and it is something unique about HSE.

Why did you decide to take part in HSE Unity Fest?

To be honest, I did not personally decide to perform in HSE Unity fest, but the president of our (Turkish) club, Emine, asked me to take part in this and I gladly accepted it because it is an amazing chance to represent my country to my friends and colleagues and have unforgettable memories.

How did you come up with this idea of your performance on stage?

Last year one of the members of our club sang a song and this year our president decided that we should perform a dance show since we have many traditional dances. The most apparent peculiarity we have shown in our performance is our traditional dress because it presents typical Anatolian motives on it such as the style (işleme) and some small details like (mendil).

Does the dance have special meaning? How is the dance called?

It is called “Zeybek” dance. It has a very special meaning. It is a traditional Turkish dance from the Aegean region that tells a story of freedom, bravery and strength. The slow, wide steps with open arms imitate an eagle, symbolizing pride and independence. It can start slowly to show dignity and control, then become faster to express joy and energy. When danced in a group, it also shows the importance of unity and solidarity, representing people standing together. It's much more than a dance; it's a symbol of a powerful cultural spirit.

Art, including dance as a form of it, is the language that helps other people get to know your culture. Do you think it's the best way to share values and beauty of it? Why?

Art, in general, is the best way to share values and beauty of one’s culture because it has no language and it goes beyond the specific boundaries that sometimes prevent us from fully understanding another culture. When you hear a traditional song and feel the melody and the rhythm, you comprehend it with your soul. The same goes about the dance as well, when you watch it and see the pace and movements.

Tell us about 3 peculiarities related to your culture that you wanted to demonstrate in the performance?

In our Zeybek performance, we wanted to show three key parts of our culture. Firstly, the eagle-like movements. The slow, wide steps with open arms imitate an eagle. This shows the strength, freedom and pride of the people from the Aegean region, like a mentioned. Second, the change from slow to fast. The dance starts very slowly and heavy to show control and dignity. Then, it suddenly bursts into faster, joyful steps. This shows the two sides of our character: serious and strong but also full of life. Finally, the power of unity. While one person can dance it, we performed it as a group moving together in harmony. This shows our cultural value of solidarity and standing together as equals.

Apart from the dance you guys prepared national food for today. Can you tell us more about the dishes?

We served some of the most notable food from our country. Çiğköfte is a spicy and aromatic vegan patty. It's made from fine bulgur wheat, tomato paste, and lots of spices. It has a unique gritty texture and is always served cold, wrapped in a fresh lettuce leaf. You can also squeeze some lemon on it if you like the sour taste. Mercimek Köftesi is a savoury and soft vegan "meatball." Its main ingredient is red lentils, mixed with bulgur and mild spices. It has a smooth, moist texture, a milder taste than Çiğköfte, and is also eaten cold, often shaped into small logs. Poğaça is a soft, savoury pastry. It's similar to a biscuit or a bun, often filled with cheese, potatoes, or herbs. It's a very popular snack for breakfast or with tea. Baklava is a rich, sweet dessert. It's made from many thin layers of pastry, filled with chopped pistachio or nuts and held together by a sweet syrup or honey. It's known for being flaky, sweet and very delicious.

What are the most common biases about your culture people need to get rid of?

There are some common biases about Turkish culture that people need to get rid of. First, that Turkey is only a desert or a vacation resort. In reality, it has incredibly diverse landscapes, including snowy mountains, green forests, and bustling modern cities. Second, that all Turkish women are oppressed or silenced. This is a major stereotype. Turkish women are powerful figures in all parts of society, as professors, artists, business leaders, and more. (The president of our club is also a woman.) Finally, that our culture is just like its neighbours or one single thing. Turkey is a unique bridge between Europe and Asia, blending many traditions. It is modern and traditional at the same time, and its home to people with many different lifestyles and beliefs.

Do you think can get rid of such biases attending HSE Unity Fest? Or it's not enough?

I believe that these kinds of events are quite effective to get rid of such biases because they offer a direct, human experience. It's one thing to hear about a culture, but it's completely different to see its dances, taste its food, and talk to its people face-to-face. When you see the complexity of our art and the warmth of our people at an event like the HSE Unity Fest, it becomes much harder to hold onto simple stereotypes. It makes the culture real and personal. Is it enough to erase all biases completely? Maybe not, but it's a powerful and essential first step. It plants a seed of understanding and curiosity that can change a person's perspective forever.

What stereotypes about your culture are actually true?

Some stereotypes about Turkish culture that are often true are about our hospitality and our love for tea. The idea that Turks are very hospitable is generally real. Guests are considered a blessing, and we often welcome them with open arms, offering them food and drinks as a sign of respect. Also, the stereotype that we drink a lot of tea is absolutely true. Tea is more than a drink, it's a tradition. It's offered all day, every day, at home, at work and in shops. It's the main way we connect with each other. So, the core values of welcoming others and sharing moments together are indeed very accurate.

Why do you think it's important to take part in cultural events?

It has of utmost importance to partake in such cultural events for the promotion of the culture of the homeland and create bridges between different cultures. People have the opportunity to get to know your culture better, ask you questions about it and it gives them a unique chance to get rid of the stereotypes they had. Furthermore, it allows us to proudly carry our traditions into the future, ensuring they are not forgotten. On a personal level, participating strengthens our own connection to our roots and fills us with a sense of pride and belonging. Ultimately, these shared experiences remind us of our common humanity, despite our beautiful differences.

Will you please wish our readers something in Turkish?

Unity Fest’e katılan herkese gönülden teşekkürler. Katılımınız bu festivali daha anlamlı kıldı. Kültürlerarası etkileşimi artırmak ve güçlendirmek için böyle projelerin daha fazla düzenlenmesi gerek. Herkese kucak dolusu sevgiler!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who participated in Unity Fest. Your presence made this festival more meaningful. To enhance and strengthen intercultural interaction, more projects like this need to be organized. Sending lots of love to everyone!

Habip's journey from club member to cultural ambassador highlights the transformative power of events like Unity Fest. His story isn't just about sharing traditions, but about actively shaping the narrative of his culture among a global peer group. As the festival lights dim, the connections forged and stereotypes challenged continue to resonate. It’s a powerful reminder that understanding is not a passive act, but an experience to be shared, tasted, and danced to, paving the way for a more cohesive university community.

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Ekaterina Voevoda