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The tradition of whistling languages has brought a remarkable cultural exchange to Kuskoy, a village in the Canakci district of Giresun, Türkiye. Visitors from the Canary Islands, Spain, known for their own ancient whistling language, traveled to Kuskoy—famous for its distinctive "Turkish bird language"—to engage in a rare meeting of these living heritage practices.
Jose Molina Gonzalez and Carmen Castilla Padilla, representatives of the Canary Islands' whistling language heritage, were warmly welcomed by Furkan Aksoy, Kaymakam (district governor) of Canakci. During their visit, the guests explored the village situated at 500 meters elevation, interacted closely with local residents, and exchanged conversations through their whistling languages.
This interaction was not only a demonstration but also a mutual sharing of how whistling serves as a vital mode of communication in both communities.
Hayrettin Karadeniz, a faculty member at Giresun University's Faculty of Science and Letters, highlighted the long-standing histories of whistling languages in both regions. He described the event as a significant cultural dialogue with hopeful prospects for continued collaboration.
“We see the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s active support and ownership of this heritage. This cultural legacy exists not only here but also across the world in the Canary Islands. We hope this dialogue will continue to flourish,” Karadeniz said.
Carmen Castilla Padilla emphasized the similarities between the two communities: "In our country, too, the mountainous terrain necessitates communication through whistling. There are geographical parallels, and we use simple phrases and words to communicate effectively."
As part of the ongoing program, a Whistling Language Meeting and Workshop will be held today at the Giresun Governor’s Office, aiming to deepen the understanding and preservation of this rare form of communication.
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