Turkish president honors Mehmet Akif Ersoy, poet of the national anthem

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has paid tribute to Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the revered poet who authored the lyrics of Türkiye's national anthem, on the 89th anniversary of his passing. In a message shared on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal on Saturday, Erdoğan commemorated Ersoy as the "National Poet" who mobilized the nation during its struggle for independence.

Erdoğan's Tribute to a National Symbol

President Erdoğan wrote, "I commemorate with mercy our National Poet, Mehmet Akif Ersoy—the author of our National Anthem—who, during the days when Anatolia was under occupation, traveled from city to city calling our nation to rise up for its future, and who was a true intellectual through his stance and way of life." The message underscores Ersoy's enduring legacy as a unifying symbol of resilience and patriotism in Türkiye's collective memory.

The Creation of the 'Independence March'

Mehmet Akif Ersoy, born in Istanbul's Fatih district in 1873 during the Ottoman era, penned the "İstiklal Marşı" (Independence March) in 1921, amidst the Turkish War of Independence following World War I. The poem was written to galvanize the struggling army and motivate the populace against foreign occupation. Set to music composed by Zeki Üngör, the stirring anthem was officially adopted by the Republic of Türkiye upon its founding in 1923. It remains a powerful expression of national sovereignty and sacrifice.

Ersoy's Multifaceted Legacy

Beyond his poetic achievement, Ersoy was also an author, academic, and served as a member of parliament in the early years of the republic. He passed away in 1936. Known universally in Türkiye as the "Milli Şair" (National Poet), his life and work are celebrated annually, with his mausoleum in Istanbul serving as a site of national homage. His anthem continues to be recited in schools and at official ceremonies, embedding his words into the fabric of modern Turkish identity and reminding citizens of the ideals upon which the republic was founded.