An Exodus from Turkey: Tales of Migration and Exile

Examines the current wave of migration from Turkey through the experiences of 21 public figures in exile Features interviews with 21 Turkish public figures: Barbaros Sansal; Bulent Somay; Can Dundar; Deniz (nickname); Engin Sustam; Eser Karakas; Fatih Vural; Faysal Sariyildiz; Gokhan Bacik; Guliz Vural; Hasip Kaplan; Hayko Bagdat; Jinda Zekioglu; Meltem Arikan; Mine Gencel Bek; Murat Ozbank; Nazan Ustundag; Nil Mutluer; Ragip Duran; Sehbal Senyurt Arinli; Yavuz BaydarExplores the political reality on the ground in Turkey; the political, social and economic impacts of authoritarianism; the meaning of exile; transnational repression mechanisms put in play by Turkey; and potential scenarios for reconciliation and normalisation in TurkeyThe book not only focuses on the experiences of exile but also reflects on current debates in politics and international relations regarding integration, asylum seeking experiences, statelessness, transnational repression, and mobilisationIncludes a foreword by Professor Samim Akgonul at the University of Strasbourg Turkey’s authoritarian turn under the reign of Erdoğan, and the crackdown on freedom of speech and assembly, has caused many Turkish citizens – either voluntarily or involuntarily – to flee the country. Featuring interviews with former politicians, artists, journalists, academics and activists, this book gives a voice to those in exile. By presenting their own stories in their own words, we learn how individuals cope with the realities of separation from their homeland, how they have managed to build new lives abroad and the prospect of return to Turkey. Both heart-breaking and informative, this book provides a snapshot of a new layer of intellectual diaspora in the making.