Attitude, Investment and Turkish Goods Week

Frugality, Investment and Turkish Products Week is one of the designated days and weeks observed annually in primary schools in Türkiye between 12–18 December. The week’s primary objective is to instill the habit of frugality, promote awareness of investment, and encourage the use of domestically produced goods. It emphasizes the need for individuals to safeguard their money, possessions, belongings, time and health, and to direct surplus resources toward investment after prioritizing essential needs. The importance of selecting products manufactured within the country is highlighted, with the goal of increasing the nation’s wealth.

Activities conducted during the week contribute to shaping students into conscious producers and conscious consumers. Lessons and social activities, integrated as a unified whole, enhance students’ sensitivity to social and economic issues.

^{Okullarda Yapılan Tutum, Yatırım ve Türk Malları Haftası Etkinliği} (Anadolu Ajansı)

The origins of the week are linked to the 1929 Global Economic Crisis. The economic crisis underscored the importance of savings awareness internationally, leading countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Greece and Bulgaria to implement “Savings and Domestic Products Week” in primary schools. Although European countries eventually abandoned this practice, Türkiye has continued the week under various names up to the present day.

In Türkiye, the establishment of the National Economy and Savings Society on 12 December 1930 is regarded as the beginning of Domestic Products Week. The first celebrations were held in various cities, with Istanbul and Ankara leading the way. Throughout the week, campaigns promoting domestic products took place in schools, the military, mosques, cinemas, newspapers and streets.

In 1946 the week was officially celebrated under the name “Domestic Products Week.” In 1983 the name was changed to “Frugality, Investment and Turkish Products Week”. Particularly during the period 1931–1938, the activities and organizational efforts of the National Economy and Savings Society ensured that the week remained a prominent part of public discourse.

The National Economy and Savings Society was established in Türkiye to encourage the public to save and use domestically produced goods. The society’s founding date was set as 12 December 1930 and this date is recognized as the beginning of Domestic Products Week. Its fundamental purpose was to enable the public to contribute to national development as an integral economic force and to strengthen the national economy.

The establishment of the society was closely tied to the economic conditions of the time. The government, considering the effects of the Great Depression and the depreciation of the Turkish lira, anticipated that measures needed to be systematic and long-term. In this context, the society took on the responsibility of educating the public and fostering economic awareness, while organizing industrial and agricultural congresses to serve as a bridge between producers and consumers.

Following its establishment, the society launched propaganda and educational campaigns to encourage the public to use domestic products. Speeches delivered at the opening, along with broadcasts on radio and in newspapers, informed the public. Various activities were organized during Savings and Domestic Products Week. The radio addresses by the society’s president, Kazım Özalp, served as a guide for integrating frugality and the use of domestic products into daily life.

The social position of women was taken into account when planning the society’s activities. As fundamental pillars of the family, women played an active role in promoting the use of domestic products and implementing frugality in everyday life. Campaigns on domestic products initiated by the Turkish Women’s Union and the Ladies’ Council became more systematic and widespread following the society’s founding.

In its first year, the society achieved success by raising public awareness about savings and the use of domestic products. The industrial congresses it organized and the planned agricultural congresses helped instill economic awareness in both producers and consumers. The government supported all the society’s activities and collaborated with it to strengthen the public’s role in national development.

Events held in Ankara and Istanbul as part of the week’s celebrations held a prominent place in the society’s program. After speeches, processions accompanied by demonstrations marched to Taksim Square and Hâkimiyet-i Milliye Square, where wreaths were laid at monuments. These marches and rallies in the past involved participation from students and the public, with politicians, academics and women representatives delivering speeches at the events.

The society and other publishing outlets raised public awareness by publishing articles on the importance of the week, the use of domestic products and the culture of savings. In 1928, import figures for basic consumer goods were cited to emphasize the economic significance of using domestic products. The question “Why Should We Use Domestic Products?” was addressed in various journals and newspapers to enhance public consciousness.

During the Republican era, the social and economic role of women was prominently featured in the activities of Frugality, Investment and Turkish Products Week. Before the society’s founding, the Turkish Women’s Union and the Ladies’ Council conducted various propaganda campaigns to promote the use of domestic products among women. Women contributed to increasing economic awareness in society by teaching frugality within families and encouraging the use of domestic goods. With the establishment of the National Economy and Savings Society, women’s effectiveness in promoting domestic product usage increased. Female speakers participated in the opening and other events of the week, with emphasis placed on the role of women in economic life. For example, Zahide Özveren highlighted the importance of teaching children frugal behavior.

The goal is to raise students as conscious producers and consumers. Awareness of frugality, investment and the use of domestic products is reinforced through lessons and social activities. Mandatory and elective courses, guidance services, and extracurricular club activities in the educational program support students’ holistic development. Designated days and weeks help students become aware of social life, institutions and events. Students engage with current economic developments, recognize key institutions, events and issues in social life, and understand their significance.

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The Ministry of National Education’s Regulation on Social Activities for Primary and Secondary Schools links the week to the goal of “preventing extravagance and fostering frugality.” Additionally, Annex 2 of Article 32 of the Regulation specifies that the week is to be observed between 12 and 18 December.

^{Tutum, Yatırım ve Türk Malları Haftası Etkinliği} (Anadolu Ajansı)