Image of Russia and Russians in Perception of Turkish Youth in Antalya

This article investigates the image of Russia and its citizens within the consciousness of Turkish youth residing in the Antalya region, particularly in light of significant Russian-speaking migration. The research focuses on the transformation of perceptions of the “other” as interactions shift from tourist encounters to everyday coexistence. Utilizing data from a free associative experiment conducted among students at Akdeniz University, the study analyzes 130 units of material obtained through anonymous questionnaires. Respondents aged between 18 and 22 years provided insights that were qualitatively processed using MAXQDA software. For the first time, this study introduces four semantic fields associated with the concept of RUSSIA: political, geographical, evaluative, and symbolic. The analysis reveals a predominance of the political-state component in the students' consciousness, with the image of the country being personified through the figure of Vladimir Putin. Furthermore, the perception of Russians is characterized by a dichotomous nature; while their external attractiveness (light features, tall stature) is acknowledged, it is often contrasted with perceived communicative closedness. The findings suggest that Turkey's youth view Russia as a “northern pole of strength” and a formidable geopolitical entity. Ultimately, the study confirms the persistence of stereotypes regarding the “cold” and “harsh” nature of the Russian people.

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