Geleneklerimizi

Geleneklerimizi is a Turkish phrase meaning "our traditions." It is formed from gelenek (tradition) plus the plural suffix -ler, with the possessive suffix -imiz to indicate "our," and the object marker -i in Turkish grammar. The expression refers to the set of customs, practices, knowledge, and cultural expressions passed down within a community or nation. In everyday Turkish, Geleneklerimizi appears in discussions of heritage, for example in sentences such as Geleneklerimizi yaşatmalıyız, "We must keep our traditions alive."

In Turkish discourse, Geleneklerimizi encompasses family rituals, religious observances, festive occasions, culinary practices, language, oral storytelling, crafts, and traditional dress. It functions as both a descriptor of inherited patterns and a call to preserve them amid social change and modernization. The precise scope varies by region and community, reflecting Turkey's diverse cultural landscape. The phrase also appears in educational materials, cultural programs, and public campaigns that aim to promote heritage awareness and cultural identity.

Traditions are not viewed as static in this usage; rather, Geleneklerimizi acknowledges adaptation and continuity, with core meanings retained while new influences are absorbed. Scholars, educators, and cultural institutions often discuss how to balance preservation with innovation in a modern, plural society.

In contemporary Turkey, the phrase is commonly used to frame discussions of cultural heritage in media, museums, and schools.