Eleni Karinte

Eleni Karinte (Greek: Ελένη Καριντέ) was a Greek woman[1][2] of Aromanian descent,[3] popularly known as the first love of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Little is known of Mustafa Kemal's relationship with Eleni, who fell in love with him while he was a student in Monastir (today Bitola). According to the folk story, they exchanged glances while she watched him from her balcony, but her wealthy merchant father did not approve of this relationship, and locked her in the house when she tried to elope. Eftim Karinte later took her to Florina, where he tried to marry her off to another man.[4]

No documents attest this other than a letter purportedly written by Karinte.[4]

Eleni Karintine
Other namesEleni Kriyas
PartnerMustafa Kemal Atatürk
FamilyEdrim Karintine (father)

The love story inspired a play by Dejan Dukovski, later filmed by Aleksandar Popovski.[5] It has also inspired a monodrama with Nikolina Vasilevska in the role of Eleni.[6]

References

  1. ^ "The dughter of a Greek businessman, Eleni..."[failed verification]
  2. ^ Lili Marlen Und Die Blinde Ziganka, Lili Buthmann-Cond, BoD – Books on Demand, 2011, ISBN 3842371586, p. 34 (German)
  3. ^ Muriel Girard, Jean-François Polo, Clémence Scalbert-Yücel as ed., Turkish Cultural Policies in a Global World, Springer, 2018, ISBN 3319636588, p. 58.
  4. ^ a b Emiliya Misirlievska (8 August 2012). "Atatürk Ve Eleni Aşkinin Hikayesi – Turistlerin Ilgi Odaği". Balkon3. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Balkan Is Not Dead". IMDb. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Eleni's Great Love"