Echoes of a Vibrant Past: Remembering the 90s and 2000s Popular Music in Turkey’s Polarized Memoryscape
Nostalgia functions as a crucial tool for exploring the convergence of cultural recollection, self-identity, and political change in modern societies. This research examines how yearning for Turkish popular music from the 1990s and early 2000s mirrors and evaluates the sociopolitical transformations initiated by the Justice and Development Party (JDP). By examining the shift from “old Turkey” to “new Turkey,” this study investigates how shared memories of this era shed light on the emotional and cultural aspects of life under increasing authoritarianism.
Drawing on theories of cultural memory, nostalgia, pop nostalgia, and the structure of feeling, this investigation delves into how musicians, audience, and music industry professionals recall these time periods. Through semi-structured interviews with these groups, the research captures generational variations in perceptions of the 1990s and early 2000s. These interviews are supplemented by a thorough analysis of media content from the era, including songs, magazines, and television programs, to provide context for how these memories are mediated and reinterpreted in contemporary Turkey.
This study focuses particularly on nostalgia’s relationship with political transformation within the realm of popular music culture. The JDP’s utilization of Ottoman nostalgia to construct a “New Turkey” narrative starkly contrasts with secular segments of society’s longing for the recent past, which is remembered as a time of cultural vibrancy and political freedom. This yearning is intensified by the marked decline in cultural participation and restrictive policies implemented under the current regime, such as concert cancellations and artistic censorship. By examining these contrasting nostalgic narratives, this research aims to uncover the deeper sociopolitical implications of Turkey’s polarized memoryscape.
While results are pending, this study seeks to reveal how nostalgia functions as both a coping mechanism and a subtle form of resistance in an increasingly authoritarian context. By portraying the 1990s and early 2000s as a “golden age,” individuals and communities critique the present and express a longing for values they perceive as lost—democracy, artistic freedom, and cultural dynamism. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how memory and media intersect in transitional political contexts. It underscores the emotional power of nostalgia in navigating societal divisions, emphasizing its role in shaping collective identity and challenging dominant narratives. By examining Turkey’s unique experience, this study offers insights into the mechanisms through which nostalgia and cultural memory interact in polarized and authoritarian societies.
Keywords: popular music; cultural memory; nostalgia; authoritarianism
Biography
Irem Elbir received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration and a master’s degree in Media and Cultural Studies from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. Her master’s thesis, “Turkish Rap Music within the Grip of Popular Culture,” explored the relationship between rap music and forms of cultural resistance. She is currently a PhD candidate at Europa-Universität Flensburg, studying the relationship between nostalgia and authoritarianism within the context of popular music culture.
University of Flensburg, Germany – iremelbir94@gmail.com