Atatürk's reforms and innovative ideas had great repercussions not only in Turkey, but also in the Turkish communities in the Balkans. The principle of "peace at home, peace in the world" both shapes the domestic and foreign policy of the Republic of Turkey and deeply affects the Turkish communities in the Balkan geography. Since Atatürk's ideological foundations were based on practical and applicable scientific methods, these principles were also adopted in regions such as Macedonia and Kosovo, which were within a socialist state structure. Turkish intellectuals in Macedonia and Kosovo made a great effort to spread Atatürk's ideals and reforms. Writers in the region keep Atatürk's legacy alive by emphasizing his ideas and reforms in their works. These intellectuals adopted Atatürk's understanding of the modern and secular state and contributed to the modernization of the Turkish communities in the region. Atatürk's reforms in the field of education and culture increased the educational level and cultural awareness of the Turks of Macedonia and Kosovo. After five hundred years of Ottoman rule, the Turks, as the main element of the empire, lost their self-confidence to a great extent with the separation of the region from the homeland after the Balkan Wars. With the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire, it became difficult to remain a Turk in the Balkans. Atatürk, who established the new Turkish state by starting the War of Independence, became a new hope for the Turks in the region. What Atatürk did for the struggle for independence and the modernization of the Turks is even more meaningful for the Turks of Kosovo and Macedonia. It is possible to talk about his direct and indirect impact on the continuation of Turkish identity and culture in the region. In this study, the perspective of Turkish intellectuals, especially in Macedonia and Kosovo, on Atatürk and his ideals is discussed. The study, which is based on the content analysis of Sesler, the most important culture and art magazine of the region, and other sources, written by almost all Turkish intellectuals, will mainly focus on the prose written about Atatürk. However, some verses that are strong in terms of meaning and pronunciation will also be included.
Atatürk, Balkans, Macedonia, Kosovo.