Yaşar Bilcenoğlu, (84), who lives in the Karacasu district of Aydın, and Rozalija Brkiç, aka Fatma Bilcenoğlu, his life partner of 53 years, (86), became the two protagonists of a love story that transcends borders.

Born in Yugoslavia in 1936, Rozalija Brkiç’s life changed completely when she met Yaşar in Germany, where she went as a worker 54 years ago. 

Rozalija, who lost her father when he served in the Second World War, set sail for a completely different life with Yaşar Bilcenoğlu. Rozalija, who went to her country, which became Croatia after the disintegration of Yugoslavia, from time to time absorbed Turkish customs and traditions in Karacasu, where she has lived for 50 years. 

Bilcenoğlu, who sang folk songs with fluent Turkish, also drew attention with his command of Yugoslavian and German despite all these years.

Yaşar (84), who is one of the names who keep the historic culture alive in Karacasu, tells about his meeting with his wife Fatma. He said, “I went to Germany 50 years ago. First, I worked for 2 years at the Ford Factory in Cologne, Germany. I worked in 4 factories in 20 years. We worked hard jobs. I was 26 when I went. I went there in 1964 and my wife came to Germany to work in 1968. 

“We met on the 15th day of her arrival. My wife and I have been married for 53 years. It is very difficult to marry and get along with a foreigner. We have other friends like this. Two of our friends had to leave even though they had children. Then, one day when we came back to Turkey and she became a Muslim. She never missed her prayer or fasting. 

“It has been 37 years since I returned to Karacasu. I’m living my life here. She has had no trouble adapting here. She already learned Turkish slowly in Germany.”

Rozalija said: “I was born in 1936 in what was then Yugoslavia and now Croatia. I went to Germany when I was 32. I met Yaşar Bey 15 days after my departure. I was 31 when we met. I worked in a chocolate factory in Germany. I first came to Turkey in 1970. I said let’s see what’s in here. Then I stayed here permanently in 1984. I was 48 then. I like it, I’m satisfied. 

“I have always stayed here. I had many siblings. They are there and I am here. It was hard to leave them all behind, but I came here. I went to my brothers 5-6 times. I’ve been to Germany. The last time I went to Croatia was 13 years ago. We have been married for 53 years. I left everything and my family for love.”

Stating that he is on good terms with his neighbors, Bilcenoğlu said: “I love Karacasu and its nature. I also get on very well with my neighbors. Our respect and love have brought us to where we are today.”