06.06.2025 15:53
With the drawing of the border between Turkey and Georgia in 1921, the villages known as "Sarp" and "Sarpi" were divided, yet familial ties have been maintained for over a century despite the border. The headman of Sarp village, Çakır, stated that they had not been able to meet with their relatives for many years, and that communication resumed with the opening of the border gate in 1988.
One of the most important land border gates of Turkey opening to the Caucasus and Central Asia, the village of Sarp, which gives its name to the Sarp Border Gate, was divided in two with the determination of the border between Turkey and Georgia in 1921. The part of the village remaining in Turkey was named "Sarp," while the part remaining in Georgia was named "Sarpi."
In the village, which is divided by the stream flowing through it, members of the same family had to live in two different countries. Despite being citizens of different countries, the local people have maintained their kinship relations and cultural ties for 104 years. The headman of Sarp village, Yalçın Çakır, stated that with the drawing of the border in 1921, the village was separated in half, with part of it given to the then Soviet Union and part to Turkey. Çakır noted that until 1936, villagers communicated with each other through "pasavan passes" (a document allowing short-term circulation within neighboring region borders), but after this date, the border was completely closed, and even first-degree relatives could not meet without special permits until 1988.
"TWO-THIRDS OF OUR FAMILY REMAINED ON THE GEORGIAN SIDE"
Çakır expressed that those living in the region had not been able to meet their relatives in the nearby village for many years, adding that communication resumed with the opening of the Sarp Border Gate in 1988. He mentioned that he has relatives in Georgia, including his aunt and cousins, as well as his father's uncle and aunts, and their children, saying, "We have many relatives. Two-thirds of the Çakıroğlu family remained on the Georgian side."
Çakır explained that they visit each other during holidays, weddings, and funerals, stating, "No matter how many borders there are between us, our hearts are one. If there is a funeral there, we feel that pain as if it were in our own home." He added that they strive to maintain their kinship relations despite the border and that new ties have been established through marriages in recent years.
Mükerrem Tuzcu, one of the village residents, also stated that after the village was divided, his relatives, including his aunt, remained in Sarpi village. Tuzcu pointed out that the other side of the stream running through the village belongs to Georgia and expressed that they are in contact with their relatives there.
"MY AUNT'S HOUSE IS VISIBLE FROM HERE"
Tuzcu emphasized that 80% of the people living in Sarp have relatives in the neighboring village, continuing: "My aunt, uncle, and aunt are there. As soon as the border opened, I went to Georgia with my son to see my relatives. We did not sever our kinship ties. I encouraged my children as well. Why should we sever them? We go whenever we want. I will call to talk for the holiday. They also call me. We have first-degree relatives. When the border was closed, I brought my aunt to Turkey through Kars with a special invitation. We hugged, cried, and shared our longing. She stayed for a while, then I sent her back. My aunt's house is visible from here."
Bayram Ali Özşahin also mentioned that for many years, relatives could not meet each other, and deep sorrows were experienced. Özşahin said, "There was a time when it was even a crime to point a finger at the village where your relatives lived. I experienced this as someone who grew up at the border. With the opening of the border, meetings and visits started again. Now, there are my aunt's grandchildren living there, and I have cousins. We are in contact with them."
"OUR LAMENTS AND CRIES ARE HEARD"
Özşahin expressed that he grew up listening to stories about relatives who remained in Georgia from his grandfather and other elders, stating, "During the years we couldn't meet, we knew who lived in those houses over there. They also knew who lived in our houses. When there is a funeral in one house, they look and see. Our laments and cries are heard. While crying, you understand who has died. Even if we couldn't meet, we had a blood bond. We were very sad. Even if we didn't go, that village was our village after all." he said.
Zeki Çakır also mentioned that the local people experienced great longing for a period. He emphasized that despite not being able to meet with relatives on the other side of the stream for over 50 years, the emotional bonds remained intact thanks to the stories told by their elders, stating that the surname of their relatives in Georgia is "Merakitse." Çakır shared that he used to wonder, "When will the border open, will we be able to meet?" and said, "Now we can go and visit whenever we want. My father's uncle has children, and I talk to them. I introduced my children to my relatives there."
"EVEN IF BORDERS SEPARATE US, OUR HEARTS ARE ONE"
Hasan Aytan stated that with the drawing of the borders, all his relatives, except for his grandmother, remained in Georgia. He expressed that he does not meet with his relatives very often but maintains contact, saying, "It is a good thing that we do not forget our kinship. I continue it as well. We do not leave each other alone during funerals and weddings. Even if there are borders between us, there is no way for us to leave each other. We are connected to each other; even if borders separate us, our hearts are one." he said.