‘Asım Kitabı ve Âkif’ Commemorated on the 100th Anniversary of Its Publication

The commemoration event themed ‘A Star; A Crescent, Independence Forever’ organized by Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) Mehmet Akif Ersoy Application and Research Center was held on the 88th anniversary of Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s death. The topic of ‘Asım Book and Akif on the 100th Anniversary of Its Publication’ was discussed at the event.

Prof. Dr. Zafer Gölen moderated the program held at the MAKÜ Conference and Exhibition Hall. In his opening speech, Gölen gave important messages about Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s struggle and legacy.

“I Lived Silently, Who Will Know Me From Where?”

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Gölen drew attention to Mehmet Akif’s modest and struggle-filled life, recalling the poet’s following lines:

‘Alas, when the earth draws my shadow wandering on the ground,
Days will eventually erase this phantom too.
To be remembered with mercy, that is eternity, but,
I lived silently, who will know me, from where?’

Gölen emphasized that with these words, Mehmet Akif carried the concern of being forgotten in the future, but he secured a permanent place in the memory of the Turkish nation with the National Anthem and his ideas. He said, “Akif is the author of our National Anthem, the symbol of independence and freedom. Understanding his struggle will shed light on the history and future of our nation.”

Experts in the Field Explained Asım

At the event, the facsimile edition of the Safahat book was also introduced. In the panel contributed by academicians, Dr. Lecturer Senem Karagöz Gömük discussed ‘Transcribing Safahat’, Dr. Student Zuhal Kondu ‘Writing Âkif’, Prof. Dr. Parvana Bayram ‘Who is Asım?’, Prof. Dr. Abidin Temizer ‘Historical Elements in Asım’. These presentations, which examined Akif’s works and thoughts in detail, attracted great interest from the participants.

In addition to MAKÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Oğuz Gürsoy, many academicians and students attended the panel. Participants had the opportunity to understand the importance of Mehmet Akif Ersoy both in terms of literature and national struggle more deeply.