Turkey Receives Ukrainian Refugees: Aid and Gratitude
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Ahiska Turkish Couple Cultivates 70 Grape Varieties in erzincan, Türkiye
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Background: The Ahiska Turks and Their Displacement
The Ahiska Turks, also known as Meskhetian Turks, are an ethnic Turkish group originally from the Ahıska region of Georgia. In november 1944, during World War II, they were forcibly deported by the Soviet government under false accusations of collaboration with Nazi Germany. This mass deportation resulted in immense suffering, loss of life, and the scattering of the community across Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan.
For decades, the Ahiska Turks remained displaced, longing to return to their ancestral lands. Though,political obstacles and ongoing conflicts prevented their repatriation. Many sought refuge and new opportunities in other countries, including Türkiye.
Relocation to Türkiye and the Erzincan Settlement
In 2017, upon the instruction of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a important number of Ahiska Turks were brought to Türkiye. Families were settled in TOKI (Housing governance of Türkiye) residences built specifically for them in Bayırbağ village, Üzümlü district of Erzincan. This initiative provided a new beginning for a community that had endured decades of displacement.
The Binali family was among those resettled in Erzincan. they arrived with limited possessions, but crucially, they brought with them a collection of grape saplings from Ukraine – a tangible link to their past and a seed for their future.
from Saplings to a Thriving Vineyard
Faik and Gülşen Binali, with their 8 children and 40 grandchildren, transformed a small plot of land into a flourishing vineyard.They carefully propagated the grape saplings brought from Ukraine, cultivating a remarkable diversity of 70 different grape varieties. These include grapes known for their sourness, sweetness, and a range of colors – black, white, red, yellow, and green.
The vineyard has become a source of livelihood for the Binali family and a valuable contribution to the local economy. They sell their grapes to the people of the village and surrounding areas, providing fresh produce and supporting their community.
faik Binali’s Story: A Second Homeland
75-year-old Faik Binali, who spent 25 years living in Ukraine, expressed his gratitude to President Erdoğan for facilitating their relocation to Türkiye.He shared with AA correspondent that they have found peace and stability in Üzümlü district since their