BOŞNAK ŞİİRİNDE İSTANBUL

The word Balkan means, 'timbered mountain ranges'. Because of its situation Balkans faced lots of invasions, and no authority could rule there far a long period. In the 15th century, after the Serbian Kingdom had collapsed, it was Ottoman Empire that ruled these lands. Thus, historical and cultural bridges were built. After 1856, especially after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, migration to Istanbul increased, and the years between 1992 and 1995 the migration to lstanbul, because of the war, was at its highest. In the course of time, the increasing migration waves resulted in the formation of a relationship between Balkans and Istanbul. Therefore, Istanbul has a special meaning for Bosnians. It is possible to find lots of traces of Istanbul in those lands. Bosnian people used the word 'Tsarigrad' for Istanbul. 'Tsar' means 'Caesar' and 'grad' means 'york'. Istanbul was called the City of Emperors. And 'Stambol' is among the names which are used for Istanbul. In Bosnian literature, especially in poetry. İstanbul appears as a special place. In sevdalikas which are a genre of lyric and epic folk poetry the name Istanbul has been used a lot. lstanbul is sometimes abroad and sometimes homeland.