28.01.2026 22:27
Nadya Zateri, a 45-year-old living in Hatay, shares the story of her name to answer people's questions like 'Are you Russian?' or 'Are you German?'. Born in Libya in 1980, Zateri got her name from a nurse working in Germany and contributes to the culture of Hatay.
45-year-old Nadya Zateri, who keeps the art of relief alive in the Culture and Art Bazaar located in the Defne district of Hatay, contributes to the culture of the city with her works.
THOSE WHO HEAR HER NAME FOR THE FIRST TIME ASK THE SAME QUESTION Another aspect that highlights Nadya Zateri, who has gained appreciation for her success and mastery in her profession, is her name. Nadya, who faces questions like 'Are you Russian?' or 'Are you German?' from those who hear her name for the first time, was named after a German nurse who worked in the hospital where she was born in Tripoli, Libya in 1980. Nadya Zateri returned to Hatay with her family when she was 3 years old and continues to live in the Antakya district. Occasionally confronted with questions from those who hear her name for the first time, Nadya explains to citizens that she is Turkish through the story of her name.
"THEY GIVE ME THE NURSE'S NAME" Nadya Zateri, who states that she was born in Tripoli, Libya in 1980, says that she has been keeping the name of the German nurse alive for 45 years, saying, "My parents immigrated to Germany for work and lived there for 10 years. My father heard and liked this name a lot there, and later they moved to Tripoli, Libya due to business difficulties. They farmed there with their relatives for 15 years. During this time, my sister, brother, and I were born. When I was born, they were thinking about what name to give me, and my father was wondering what different name he could give after having 5 girls and 1 boy. He learns that the nurse in the hospital in Libya was also named Nadya and they give me the nurse's name. After 15 years, due to a war that broke out in Libya, we returned to Turkey with my family when I was 3 years old, and my childhood was spent in Hatay, Antakya. During this time, I turned my hobby of relief art into my profession, and I am currently practicing it in the Hatay Culture and Art Bazaar," she said.
"THEY WONDER IF I AM FOREIGN" Nadya Zateri, who expresses that she faces questions like 'Are you Russian?' or 'Are you German?' from those who hear her name for the first time, said, "They ask questions like 'Your name is very beautiful, are you Russian or German?' When I say that I am from Antakya but the story of my name comes from Germany and Tripoli, where I was born, they are very surprised."