A study on the cultural identity and culture of experession of Turkish recreation

Recreational activities occupy a significant place among the ways societies shape and express cultural identity. A review of the literature indicates that studies are limited regarding how participation in recreational activities as a form of expressive culture affects individuals' cultural identities and what characteristics constitute the cultural identity of Turks who participate in such activities. Accordingly, this study aims to determine how participation in recreational activities, understood as expressive culture, influences the cultural identity of Turks. The significance of the research lies in its contribution to the literature by revealing how recreational activities in Turkish culture shape and express individuals' cultural identities. The study adopted a qualitative case study design. The study population comprised Turks who participate in recreational activities as a mode of expression. Using criterion-based purposeful sampling, one city was selected from each of Turkey's seven geographical regions, and within these cities, individuals who engage in sport-, art-, and culture-oriented recreational activities were recruited. The Lawshe technique was used to develop the interview questions; semi-structured interviews served as the data collection method; and content analysis was employed for data analysis. Analysis of the interviews produced a total of 66 codes. The findings yielded six themes: (1) cultural identity; (2) the influence of recreational preferences on cultural identity; (3) the cultural expression and transmission of recreational activities; (4) geographical and regional reflections on culture; (5) the identity function of traditional events and festivals; and (6) perceptions of cultural continuity and change.