The Gagauz in the context of the Romanian-Turkish relations in the period from 1918 to 1940: History and personalities

The article ?rst introduces unknown documents from the archives of Turkey, Romania and the Republic of Moldova related to the "Gagauz problem" in the context of the Romanian-Turkish relations. The authors have paid attention mainly on the education ?eld, where Turkish cultural and ideological in?uence was the most noticeable. In the dissemination of the policy of the Turkish identity among the Gagauz in Bessarabia, Turkish government largely relied on Gagauz intellectuals and the youth. Therefore, Turkish teachers Zahit Mehmet Boztuna, Hasan Belal Kilic Ahmed Mehmed, Sali Ismail, Osman Abdullah, Ali and Bayram Cantarelli, and others were sent to Gagauz villages. They had an appropriate authorization from the Romanian Ministry of National Education to teach Turkish language for two hours a week and provided the training in the Gagauz and Bulgarian-Gagauz villages of Comrat, Congaz, Kubey, Chadir-Lunga, Congaz, etc. According to some reports, their activities were funded from the Turkish and partly from the Romanian budget. At the same time, the Turkish government encouraged Gagauz young people to enter secondary, high and specialized secondary schools in Ankara and Istanbul. Students were guaranteed a hostel, training for the budget account and scholarships. The article re?ects a huge role of the Turkish Ambassador in Romania Hamdullah Subhi Tanriyover (1931-1944), who initiated and conducted most of the work on the organization of Turkish language teaching in Gagauz villages, provision of textbooks and teacher training.