Europe's First Turks - From Captives to Citizens (WT)
Long before the first Turkish migrant workers arrived, Turks were already becoming Europeans during the Baroque era—unwillingly, yet permanently. In the 17th and 18th centuries, thousands of Muslims from the Ottoman Empire came to Austria, Germany and other countries as so-called “Turkish captives”. Many of them were captured soldiers, others abducted civilians – men, women and children. Many were kept by the aristocracy as
trophies, servants, or exotic curiosities.
Those who were not exchanged, ransomed, or able to escape were often baptized. This marked the beginning of a process of assimilation that led to a new life within Baroque society. As a result, many Germans or Austrians today have Turkish ancestry—without even
knowing it.
A film by Stefan Ludwig.
Credits
Documentary
90 Min.
Written and directed by: Stefan Ludwig
in development
a coproduction by Yalla Productions and EPO-Film for ARTE/BR, ORF