The Impacts of Turkish TV Serials Broadcasted in Albania on Albanian and Turkish Relations

Films and TV series are important means in transferring one nation's values to other nations. In recent years, Turkish TV series have been broadcasted in the Middle East and the Balkans. They are also very popular in Albania. These TV series play a role in presenting Turkey, the Turkish culture and the language in these regions. Turkish culture through these TV series has an impact on the culture of these regions and transfers some cultural values to the cultures of these countries. In Albania, around 10 Turkish soap operas have been broadcasted such as: "Silver, Ezel, Karadayi, Suleiman the Magnificent". These TV series that people are very interested in are highly rated and that is increasing day by day. Turkish cultural values in these series have an effect on Albanians. In this study, the impacts of Turkish culture in these series, on the Albanians and Albanian culture are investigated. It is also discussed the cultural dimension of TV series besides the political, commercial and educational dimensions. Our study is based on a survey; a questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was conducted in Tirana, capital city of Albania. The answers are evaluated and analyzed in terms of cultural, political and commercial and educational dimensions. This study is important in terms of revealing Turkish culture and its impacts in Albania, the role of this series and the evolving relationship of the two nations.


Albanian-Turkish Relations
The relations between Albanians and Turkish start with Cumans, Avars, and Huns.Ottoman`s expansion into Balkans opens a new page in the relations.Albanians who were influenced by Turkish and chose Islam played important roles in all levels of the state as clergies, bureaucrats and statesmen (Artun, 2003:100).This close relation of Albanians with Turkish people starts mutual interactions between the two nations.Relations mostly perceived in cultural, linguistic, educational and religious fields continued after Albania`s Independence too.In general, Turkish-Albanian relations continues in a healthy way between1912-1945 (Oksuz, 2010:210).However, the regime change in communist Albania thoroughly weakens the relations.Turkish and Albanian relations were resumed in the 1990s, and now continues in many areas.
The bilateral agreements and protocols, signed in different years, between Turkey and Albania developed the relations to further stages (TC.Ministry of Economy, Albania Report, 2013: 7).Today, the interactions in commercials, politics, military, and culture are at a good level.

Serials
Theatre with a long historical background occurs as revival of some scenarios in a surrounding with people as the audience.The first known theatre was found in Greece in the 5 th century BC. (Green, 2013:1).Although its survival, it is not as common as cinema and television.Besides the movies in cinemas and on TV screens, there are series with episodes have been widely broadcasted in recent years.These series started to have more attraction than films.They are shown on TV screens either daily or weekly.Both the topics and fiction depicted in these series and the technique used make them being watched by many viewers.According to Mutlu the reasons behind series being followed by many viewers are as follows: "Series being nested with sequels arising curiosity, presenting a single story in each and every episode or using the same setting with different chains of events and dramatic narrations creating a sense of holism are among main reasons of attracting viewers" (Mutlu,1991:197-201).

The Effects of Serials to Relationships
Series are helpful in making some connections between producer countries and viewer countries.The foremost effect of series is on culture as well as commerce, political fields and such.Although the culture presented in these films has some certain influences on viewers, it is not the only element as décor; places where recordings were made also have influential elements on them.The positive effect brought up by films helps the two countries develop healthier relations and get closer to each other (Pekman and Tüzün, 2012:94-95).

Turkish Serials
Turkey being one of the recent film producer countries, after Latin America and America, is filling the space nowadays.First Turkish series were released in 1970s.In 1990s they reached a certain level of pace and in 2000s started to show up on hundreds of TV channels.The private TV channels, which started to broadcast from Turkey, in 1990s imported lots of soap operas from other countries.On the other hand, Turkish series like; "Bizimkiler, Super Baba, Mahallenin Muhtarlari, Perihan Abla, Ferhunde Hanimlar" were liked by the viewers as they showed high scales of viewing rates among people.These films in a way cleared the way and helped the new ones come up.Nowadays, Turkey is importing very few series but rather exporting lots of new releases.Especially in many countries of Balkans and Middle East Turkish soap operas and series have the highest rates of viewers (http://www.trthaber.com).Arab world is also one of the geographic areas where Turkish series are highly appreciated (Buccianti, 2010:2).

Exportation of Turkish Serials
The first transfer started in 2001 with "Deli Yurek" as now series are being exported to 77 countries."Deli Yurek" was the first sold for 30-40 dollars per episode to Kazakistan in 2001 (Zeybekçi, 2014).Many film componies in Turkey are exporting series and films to abroad.Calinos being one of these companies is currently making business with more than 30 countries.Some of the countries are as follows; Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hungary, Poland, Japan, Kazakistan, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Middle-East, Uzbekistan, Greece, Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Iran, Romania, Katar, Albania, Croatia, Brunei, Bosnia, Ukraine, Israel, singapore, Malaysia (Gülgen, 2011).Gulgen also infers that there are some other films on the market; ''Adını Feriha Koydum (Gülgen, 2011).

Turkish Serials in Balkans and Their Effects
Balkans has been part of Ottoman for long time.From that period there are good and bad memories left upon these nations.Thus, one can perceive different impressions on these countries about Turkey.There are some researches on Turkish in Balkans and Their Effects.According to these reserachers, Turbedar mentions so on the issue: It`s possible to phrase two different impressions of Turkey in Balkans.On one side the impression of "Rising Turkey" is rapidly spreading; on the other side the fear of "Neo-Ottomanism" is successfully being depicted in Balkans (Türbedar, 2012:1).
The broadcasting Turkish films in more than 70 countries are breaking records in Balkans as well (http://www.aljazeera.com.tr).The released series in all Balakns are viewed either with subtitles or being dubbed into the native language in various countries of the region.There are lots of reasons behind series being liked and viewed by big number of viwers.Some of them can be counted as: common historical background, cultural proximity, depiction of humane and universal values in the series, peaceful politics and approaches of Turkey, positive effect of Turkish image, developing economical and political relations etc.In one of the interviews Gulgen mentions as follows: In my opinion one of the reasons is Turkey is being considered as a role model in Middle East.Turkey is pursuing peaceful politics in Balkans, establishment of close relations in high levels raised interest among the people of those countries.I was in Bosnia last month.We are talking about a country with different ethnicities that passed through a big war, thus struggling with many different problems.A Serbian young boy who watched ``Bin Bir Gece`` says to one of the Turkish authorities there: "In fact you Turkish people are not different than us as we thought`` meaning that they started to see that we have many common grounds rather than differences.I was told that the series are playing a very important role in building healthier relations with people in the region" (Gülgen, 2011).
Broadcasting Turkish series abroad has been an issue of investigation for many researchers.Especially Kaptan`s study on approaches of media towards Turkish series indicates positive effects as they have many viewers in Balkans and Middle-East.(Kaptan, 2013:3).Some researchers assess Turkish series as soft power and some as an illusion of hegemony.Yoruk and Vatikiotis referring the issue mention the reasons of Turkish series being widely watched with followings; Historical ties, religion and customs, longing for the old times and identity.(Yörük andVatikiotis, 2013:2368).
Birgul Demirtas, specialist on Balkans, infers that "Owing to Turkish series Turkey`s relation with neighboring countries surpassed from official level to individual and social level"(Jovanovic&Tokyay, 2012).
Many viewers in Balkans express their feelings towards Turkish series as closer to their values and more sympathetic.Whether due to cultural proximity or historical ties the series are highly appreciated by the people of the region.Some of the viewers expressed their feelings as follows (Hamzic, Nedelkovska, DemolliveCabric, 2013): I like Turkish language and culture.Besides these series are more realistic (IrnesaSenderovic, Saraybosna).
Their culture is quite close to me.We can find many traces of history back from ottoman time (Elvira Malic, Saraybosna).
Turkish TV series brought us together.That`s very nice (Almasa Alilovic, Üsküp).

Turkish Serials in Albania
One of the most essential nations living in Balkan territories are Albanians.Albanians with a population of 6 million mostly live in Albania and Kosovo as well as Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece.In Ottoman times Muslim Albanians played important roles in all levels of the state (Poyraz & Ross, 2006.Akt: Azimli, 2006).In 1912 gaining its independence, Albania, as of now, has a population of 3.5 million.

Problem
Together with democracy Albania opened its doors to the world.Its primary route being west, brought in many western influences on Albanians.Albania established close relations with European countries; within 25 years of democracy they started to have close trade, politics, education, art, and media.Especially when it comes to media and TV, the satellite dishes are turned to the west which naturally influenced Albanians in language and culture.Furthermore, Albanians choice of Europe for education and employment increased the interaction to higher levels.
Albanians until recent years had been watching Italian channels without subtitles and dubs, besides they mostly either migrated or have been there for educational and employment purposes.Today, many Albanians can communicate in Italian as their native language.As a state the country has the policy of getting close to Europe and become part of EU.
Due to the Turkish schools, Albania started to have better relations with Turkey as well.Since Turkish series have been shown on Albanian TV channels, the close relations are positively affected.The question is how and how much does this affect?

Objective
The main purpose of the research is to put forth the effect of Turkish series on Albanian-Turkish relationship.If there is such an influence, the research aims to identify following questions; what is the scale of influence?In which aspects are the influences seen?Who are mostly influenced?

Importance
In today`s global world through mass communication devices people are able to meet, interact and know each other well.In this interaction the efficient cultures` products have quite an essential role that cannot be underestimated.One of these products is no doubt movies.USA has been able to create and spread some of cultural values through movies to other parts of the world.In recent years, Turkish series started to be viewed and liked by many in other countries, thus brought up the inevitable question of whether these series have effects on the relation between shown countries and Turkey.Furthermore, to what extent and how are these series reflecting Turkish culture is another issue worth to study on.

Hypothesis
What is essential to research is to reveal the effects of Turkish series being showed abroad.Besides, the assumptions of their effects on cultures and people of broadcasting countries and that it has effects on their relation with Turkey are starting points of the research.

Research Model
The study used a survey, one of the field works, to obtain data and reach the aimed results.The survey is structured with multiple choice questions.The obtained data is transferred to a computing medium, "sofa stats" program is used to obtain graphics and tables as to make concrete analysis.

Research Area
The survey is conducted in Tirana, capital city of Albania.Samples are selected from all levels of the city; considering age, gender and occupation.

Limitations
The research investigates the effects of Turkish series on Albanian-Turkish relations.Albanians live in many other countries of Balkans.This study is restricted to Albanians who live in Tirana as to perceive the effects on them.The other countries and cities are not included to the research.

Data Collection
The survey questions are prepared under professional surveillance and together with Hëna e Plotë "Bedër" HEI, 6 students from Turkish language and literature departments conducted the survey to the selected samples.The data obtained from the survey is transferred to a statistical program for computing.

Participants by Variables
In this section, the data obtained from surveys is assessed.The assessment is done through "sofa stats" statistics program.The obtained results together with their indications are as follows: According to the distribution of samples, among 372 samples it is observed that 34.9% of the samples is the young age group of [15][16][17][18][19][20]  Another variable is educational status of samples.The dispersion here is: It is perceived that most of the samples are with high educational levels.Graduate or undergraduate participants are 45.2%, the portion of postgraduates is 9.4%.54.6% of the total participants are university-educated.The graph below reflects total dispersion of variable groups (age, gender, occupation, education, religion):

Freq
Table 6: Dispersion of samples according to their variable groups (Total)

Samples` TV Viewing Habits
The data obtained from samples` TV viewing habits is as follows: 57.8% of the total participants are watching TV for 1-2 hours a day; 5% of them watch TV more than 5 hours a day; House wives as observed from the table are the ones that watch TV mostly, on the other hand the least watching group is students.

Interest in Turkish Series
The first question that was asked to the samples after variables is "Do you watch Turkish series?" 56.7% of the samples responded yes, and 28% responded partially yes.The total viewer number is 84.7%.This data is a strong indicator that shows us Turkish series are being liked and watched.It is observed that Turkish series are mostly watched respectively by women, Muslims, Secondary school graduates, housewives, and middle-aged people.The viewers` ratio according to the variables is reflected in the table below.

The Impact on Cultural Relations
The perception of Albanian viewers and the impact of the series left on them in regard with Turkish Culture are essential elements of the research.In general, the viewers are no doubt affected by the Heroes of the films.Their lifestyles, the way they speak, sit, eat-drink, wear and types of hairstyles are the issues that mostly concern the viewers.To observe the impact on these elements following questions were asked: -After watching the series do you have changes in your wearing-hair and speaking styles?-Do you feel influenced from characters of the series and roles on your decisions about your future and the way you approach the life?-Do you like to look like and become like one of the male-female characters in the series?
The responses to these questions are detailed in the tables.
Nevertheless, it would be good to have a brief analysis of the responses: The impact of hero\heroine`s apparel on the viewers: 7.5% of the participants responded positive and 12.7% of the participants responded partially positive.The total amount of the impact on the viewers is observed as 20.2%.Mostly women, Muslims, High school and secondary school graduates, housewives and youth of 15-30 are influenced from the apparel.-Do you feel influenced from characters of the series and their roles on your decisions about your future and the way you approach the life?
The high rates of the impact is seen as; on males with 25%, 24.8% Muslims, 40% postgraduate students, 25 % private sector workers, 26% 21-30 age group.21.5% of the responses are positive and partially positive.Table 11: Impacts seen from characters of the series on the viewers and their roles on their decisions about their future and the way they approach the life.

Yes
-Trying to look like and become like one of the male-female characters in the series (Role Modeling): In this section, participants are asked whether they liked to look like characters in the series as to provide data on viewers' perceptions of role models.28.8% of the participants responded positively.The impact mostly perceived on Muslims, university graduates, students, and youth.The highest impact is observed on 15-20 young age group as 38.5%.The question of whether Turkish series leave positive impacts on Albanian viewers received highly positive responses as housewives indicated 94%, and women 91.2% of positive responses as yes.In total, 53.2% of the samples, responded positive and 36% as partially positive.The other issue that was subject to our study was the comparison of Turkish and Western cultures in regard with their impacts on Albanian viewers through films."Which culture do you find closer to yourself?"question received an 81.3% of positive response in favor of Turkish culture.According to variables respectively; women, Muslims, high school graduates, housewives, and 41-55 age groups find Turkish culture closer to themselves.Living together for many years in the history, Turks and Albanians were influenced culturally from one another.Thus, one can observe many common values in both cultures.66.1% of the participants believe in existence of these commonalities.Almost all of the variables, 65% of the samples, responded agree, partially agree or strongly agree.The noticeably high rate is seen among 55 and over age groups of old people who responded as partially agree or strongly agree with a percentile of 90.5 indicating the fact that old people have better knowledge of old cultural values, customstraditions, and their traces in Turkish series.Apart from above mentioned question on existence of common elements in both cultures another question is asked to get data on whether these elements still exist.90.4% of the participants think that Turkish cultural elements are still being lived by Albanians today.Moreover, Christians also responded quite positively indicating religious differences didn`t affect cultural interactions between the two nations.

The Impacts on Political Relations
It is perceived that the series are helping the town nations coming closer and developing healthier relations.As the results indicate, the series have a positive effect on the relations of the countries and their people.59.3% of the participants believe that the series have positive impacts on relations.Mostly; students, Muslims, and 15-20 age groups believe in the positive impacts of the series.

The Impacts on External Elements
Another important issue was to investigate the impact of series on language as an important element of culture.Thus, the participants were first asked if they knew Turkish.12.9% of them responded as yes.30.4% of the samples responded that they had a very little command of Turkish language.

The Impact on Commercial Relations
Many Turkish products are exposed in Turkish series.From Décor to products used by the cast; trademarks exposed within cities and many other Turkish products are highly exposed to the viewers.Whether due to exposure of the products on TV or the sympathy they have for Turkish people, Albanians have started to prefer Turkish products.27.4% of the samples responded that they prefer Turkish products in the market, 38.7% of them responded partially yes.This result also indicates the role of Turkish series that more than 50% of the participants are selective in favor of Turkish products.

The Impacts on Tourism
The impact of films on Tourism destination is a known fact.Countries aware of this fact use the films to as advertisement means as well (Çakır, 2014:87).They even support and encourage well-known actors\actresses to have recordings in their countries.We also investigated the relation between films and tourism destinations in Turkey as to observe the impact on Albanian viewers in their choices of tourism destinations.51.9% of the samples responded as yes, 36.9% of them responded as partially yes.In total, 89.1% of the participants verified their choices in favour of Turkey in regard with tourism destination.The table below reflects the positive contributions of the series to the tourism in Turkey.

The Impact on Educational Relations
One of the essential relations between Turkey and Albania is education.Many Albanian students go to Turkey for educational reasons every year.In this study, we also investigated the impact of series on students` choice of university and country.19.6% of the samples responded as agree, 38.7% of them as partially agree to indicate their choices of country under the influence of series.

Conclusions
Following results are obtained through survey analysis and investigation of secondary sources in regard with literature review:  57.8% of the total surveyed samples have the habit of watching TV 1-2 hours a day, 5% of them, on the other hand have it as 5 hours a day.The most rates of viewers are seen among housewives.The least watching group is students.


In total, the viewers of the series are 84.7%.This data is a strong indicator of Turkish series being liked and watched in Albania.


The Turkish culture presented in the series is quite welcomed by Albanians.The samples indicate concrete responses reflecting the impact on them as in being effected from characters in the series in terms of apparel, lifestyle, discourse, sit, eat-drink, wear and types of hairstyles.


It is observed that especially youth is trying to take role models from characters displayed on TV series.


One of the essential results obtained from the survey question in regard with Turkish series having positive influences on Albanians brought up valuable rates; with the highest rates 94% housewives, and with 91.2% women responded positively.Total population`s 53.2% responded yes, 36% as partially yes.
 81.3% of the total participants find Turkish culture closer to themselves.


The series are playing a vital role of getting the two nations closer and help Turkish and Albanian relations develop in a healthier way.59.3% of the samples believe that series are having positive impacts in this regard.


There are common elements in both cultures.66.1% of the samples believe in the existence of these commonalities.In this regard, among the total samples, 65% responded yes or partially yes.
 90.4% of the survey participants believe in the existence of Turkish cultural elements in Albanian culture.Religious diversity doesn`t have much effect in responses in this regard.
 Christians responding higher rates of yes or partially yes, strongly indicates that cultural interactions aren`t effected from religious diversity.


Albanians with their well-known talents of learning foreign languages through TV are learning many Turkish words as well from Turkish series.80.9% of the samples responded that they learn Turkish words from series.


The survey question "Do you like to learn Turkish?" received 56.7% of yes, and 23.4% partially yes.
 27.4% of the survey participants responded that they prefer Turkish products in the market, 38.7% of them responded partially yes in this regard.This result indicates that more than 50% of the samples have tendency of preferring Turkish products as an impact of Turkish series.
 89.1% of the samples indicated their preferences for Turkey as a tourism destination.
 19.6% of the participants responded as strongly agree, and 38.7% of them responded as agree about their choices of university in favour of Turkey as an impact of Turkish series.
The overall observations and the results obtained from the survey, obviously reflect the positive impacts of Turkish series on Turkish-Albanian relations.The series are playing a vital role of helping develop healthier relations in language, trade, politics, as in getting the two nations closer to each other thus, strengthening Turkish-Albanian relations.

Table 1 : Dispersion of samples according to their age groups.
being the first biggest age group.The second place is with 28.5 % again a young age group of 21-30.From all samples young age groups has a portion of 53 %.It is perceived that female samples are more than males in the distribution.42 % of the samples are males, 58 % is female.

Table 3 : Dispersion of samples according to their Educational Status.
Occupation groups are also essential variables in our survey.It is essential as it has indications about which occupation groups have what amount of effect from the TV shows.The highest rates are seen among high school and university students.The other occupation groups reflect more or less same rates.

Table 4 : Dispersion of samples according to their occupational groups.
According to the population count list of 2011, 58.79% of Albanians are Muslim, 16% Christian, and 2.5% is Atheist.14% of the population didn`t specify a religion.When this rate is equally distributed to other religious sects, Muslim population reaches70%.(Censusii Popullsisëdhe Banesave 2011-Albania).The ratio of samples according to their religious groups in our survey is overlapping with the country`s population count list.This variable also reflects the status of Muslim Albanians with the other groups.

Table 8 : The status of samples about watching Turkish series.
To obtain data on how many Turkish Series are being viewed by Albanians the samples resoponded as; 41.7% watched 1-2, 41.4% watched 3-4 and 16.9% watched 5-10.