Popular Culture and National Identity: A Study on University Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina Who Are “The Magnificent Century” Viewers

Abstract

This paper analyses the Bosnian university students’ reactions to the Turkish TV series, Muhteşem Yüzyıl, in line with their ethnic and religious affiliations. The questions were directed to 43 university students who were the series’ audiences in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including mainly Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, to determine their thoughts about the series. Descriptive analysis method was used in this study. As a result of the study, Croat and Serb audiences point out that they like the scenario and they expect Turkish producers to make similar series, but at the same time they emphasize on “oppressive politics” of the Ottoman Empire. A significant part of the Bosniaks says they knew the similarities between their own culture and Turkish culture in advance and their opinions regarding Turks did not change after the series. The Serbs and Croats although not using explicit praise words about Turks like the Bosniaks, they used concepts such as "family relationships", "lifestyle" and "culture" while they were talking about intercultural similarities.

Keywords

• Popular Culture
• National Identity
• Muhteşem Yüzyıl
• The Magnificent Century
• Audiences
• Bosnia and Herzegovina