Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s Work “Safahat” Was Introduced in Uzbekistan

A promotional ceremony was held in Uzbekistan to mark the translation of the work titled “Safahat” by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the master poet and author of the Turkish National Anthem, into Uzbek. The translation project was supported by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).

TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tashkent, Olgan Bekar; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tashkent, Ali Rıza Tezcan; the President of the Uzbekistan Writers Union, Sirojiddin Sayyid and many other guests attended the program held at the Uzbekistan Writers Union in the capital, Tashkent.

Kayalar expressed their excitement and joy at attending the promotion of Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s book “Safahat,” known as the poet of Independence, which was translated into Uzbek with TİKA’s support.

Kayalar emphasized that “Safahat,” written by the master poet and intellectual Ersoy, is one of the greatest works of Turkish literature, offering an opportunity to delve into the Turkish nation’s spiritual world. He added that “Safahat” carries profound meaning although it was written in plain language.

Kayalar stated that Miraziz A’zam, an Uzbek poet, writer and translator who translated the book into Uzbek, succeeded in conserving the book’s deep meaning.

Kayalar underlined that the values and conciousness emphasized by Mehmet Akif Ersoy in all his works, especially in “Safahat,” are also present in the history and culture of Uzbekistan. He expressed that “Safahat” will be appreciated by a wider audience in Uzbekistan in this respect and will contribute to intensifying the affection between the two sister nations. He added that Uzbek readers will benefit from this book, which has been provided to many universities and educational institutions, especially to the National Library of Uzbekistan.

Kayalar noted that “Safahat” was translated into Uzbek for the first time among Turkic languages.

“We aimed to further increase the number of projects in the country”

Kayalar spoke about his visit to the Turkish press residing in the country.

Expressing that, as TİKA, they have been implementing precious projects and activities for the Uzbek people since 1994, Kayalar stated that they have finalized approximately 1000 projects and activities in the country.

Kayalar referred to TİKA’s renovation and equipment work at the Faculty of Turkic Studies of Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, one of the country’s most deep-rooted educational institutions, and he added that they attach great importance to the projects in the field of Turkic studies.

Stating that one of TİKA’s first offices in the Turkic world is in Uzbekistan and that this land is both special and significant to them, Kayalar noted that they plan to further increase the number of projects in the country this year.