Research Article

The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding

Number: 48 December 26, 2025
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The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding

Abstract

Cultural diplomacy and nation branding strategies play “a crucial role in shaping a country’s international image. Values that convey universal messages play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy by fostering intercultural understanding and interaction. In this context, Mevlâna, through his philosophy of love, serves as an essential source of soft power for Türkiye. This study examines the influence of Mevlâna’s universal values on foreign visitors’ perceptions of Türkiye and explores their role in Türkiye’s cultural diplomacy and nation branding efforts. This thinker and Sufi mystic, better known worldwide as Rumi, is known in Türkiye as Mevlâna, so this study is based on local usage. In this study, a descriptive and quantitative approach was adopted, with data collected through a questionnaire developed to measure perceptions of cultural diplomacy and nation branding. The findings indicate that the majority of respondents (54.1%) perceive the universal values represented by Mevlâna positively and recognize their contribution to Türkiye’s cultural diplomacy objectives. While Mevlâna’s role in fostering shared meanings and identities within Turkish culture was positively evaluated, the impact was found to be limited among certain groups. Although Mevlâna makes a positive contribution to Türkiye’s national brand image and cultural diplomacy efforts, transforming this influence into sustainable international relationships requires strategic planning and long–term initiatives. As a cultural asset, Mevlâna embodies Turkish–Islamic heritage from a universal perspective and should be leveraged more effectively in the international arena to foster shared meanings and identities.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Konya İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü

Project Number

68724223-821.03-4495575

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma Konya İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü tarafından kurumsal olarak desteklenmiştir.

References

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  7. Aronczyk, M. (2008). ‘Living the brand’: Nationality, globality, and the identity strategies of nation branding consultants. International Journal of Communication, 2, 41–65. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/218
  8. Aslanbenzer, H. (2020, June 5). Rumi: Islamic scholar, poet and mystic. Daily Sabah. https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/portrait/rumi-islamic-scholar-poet-and-mystic

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Organisational, Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication, Communication and Media Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 26, 2025

Submission Date

February 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 15, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Number: 48

APA
Yazar, F., Özer, N. P., Batu, M., & Yarar, A. E. (2025). The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 48, 160-183. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1641439
AMA
1.Yazar F, Özer NP, Batu M, Yarar AE. The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding. TURCOM. 2025;(48):160-183. doi:10.17829/turcom.1641439
Chicago
Yazar, Faruk, Nuri Paşa Özer, Mikail Batu, and Ali Erkam Yarar. 2025. “The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, nos. 48: 160-83. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1641439.
EndNote
Yazar F, Özer NP, Batu M, Yarar AE (December 1, 2025) The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi 48 160–183.
IEEE
[1]F. Yazar, N. P. Özer, M. Batu, and A. E. Yarar, “The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding”, TURCOM, no. 48, pp. 160–183, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.17829/turcom.1641439.
ISNAD
Yazar, Faruk - Özer, Nuri Paşa - Batu, Mikail - Yarar, Ali Erkam. “The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi. 48 (December 1, 2025): 160-183. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1641439.
JAMA
1.Yazar F, Özer NP, Batu M, Yarar AE. The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding. TURCOM. 2025;:160–183.
MLA
Yazar, Faruk, et al. “The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, no. 48, Dec. 2025, pp. 160-83, doi:10.17829/turcom.1641439.
Vancouver
1.Faruk Yazar, Nuri Paşa Özer, Mikail Batu, Ali Erkam Yarar. The Role of Cultural Values in Relationship Building: Mevlâna (Rumi) in the Context of Cultural Diplomacy and Nation Branding. TURCOM. 2025 Dec. 1;(48):160-83. doi:10.17829/turcom.1641439

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