Greetings Extraterrestrials!
White tourists as aliens in Anatolian sci-fi
Hello,
I’ve been doing a lot of research on a new zine about the history of science fiction in Anatolia that I am really excited about! I wanted to write a little sneak peak for you because I can’t wait to share all the movies, books and old fanzines I have devoured over the months.
One of the biggest revelations I had is the prevalence of the first-contact subgenre from 1950s to 00s. What makes this subgenre unique in Anatolian sci-fi is the depiction of advanced alien races not as dangerous conquerors (the standard in American sci-fi) but as confused white tourists. The first known Turkish sci fi movie Uçan Daireler İstanbul’da (Flying Saucers in Istanbul) is a musical cabaret-like comedy about Alien women who land in Istanbul to find husbands. Incidentally it has been released in 1955, the same year that Istanbul Hilton was built.
Similar themes of highly rational and alien races sampling the awkward charms of Turkish men repeat in movies like the 1973 Turist Ömer Uzayda (more famously known as “Turkish Star Trek” to anglophones) and as recent as the 2004 film G.O.R.A.
But the one thing I want to share with you today is a folk song that I have decided to name my upcoming zine after: Uzaylılar Hoşgeldiniz (Greetings Extraterrestrials) by Şemsi Yastıman released in 1968. I have translated the lyrics below as best I as I can, staying faithful not just to the meaning but the flow and rhyme of the original. It does all the work of explaining how aliens and white tourists mix so seamlessly in the collective unconcious of Anatolia! There’s various different covers of it on Youtube as smooth jazz, trap house and rock, just in case Turkish folk is not your thing.
Live long and prosper,
Efe
Greetings Extraterrestrials
I heard that you have come from outer space Come have a seat and let’s have a chat
What wind blew you to this place? Greetings Extraterrestrials
It has been bugging our minds Greetings Extraterrestrials
We saw you and felt delight Are you hungry or are you alright? Greetings Extraterrestrials
What’s new in the atmosphere? Anything new we need to hear? Greetings Extraterrestrials
What key is your nationality in? Is that your robe or just your skin? How do you fare under the sun’s warm grin? Greetings Extraterrestrials
Is Mars or the Moon your home base? What language do you speak in outer space? Do you also have lots of loonies at your place? Greetings Extraterrestrials
What’s your government’s situation? Do your leaders show frustration? Is it tough to form an administration? Greetings Extraterrestrials
Do you practice breaking hearts over there? Is there favoritism that isn’t fair? Do left and right often split hairs? Greetings Extraterrestrials
Is it snow or winter where you stay? Is your budget large or in dismay? Do you struggle with oil prices every day? Greetings Extraterrestrials
What’s livelihood like where you stay? How does your democracy play? Do you have elections where fights do display? Greetings Extraterrestrials
We should have a consultation What is the way to your station? Do you also have inflation? Greetings Extraterrestrials
Do you have municipalities in your place Alhamdullilah for us it’s not the case Power and water are in a tight space Greetings Extraterrestrials
Does your garbage crew collect at all? Can you get a line when you make phone call? Is tax evasion common in your government hall? Greetings Extraterrestrials
Is there vacant land up on the moon? With bribes and black markets in bloom? If you got freebies we will be there real soon Greetings Extraterrestrials
Şemsi Yatsıman speaks to you Friendly advice is his view Head back home, if you know what's best for you Greetings Extraterrestrials