Ahmed Arif facts for kids
Ahmed Arif (born April 21, 1927, in Diyarbakır – died June 2, 1991, in Ankara) was a very important Turkish-Kurdish poet.
His father, Arif Hikmet, was from Kirkuk and had Turkmen roots. His mother, Sayre, was Kurdish. Ahmed Arif studied philosophy at Ankara University. He faced some difficulties and spent time in prison from 1950 to 1952 because of his ideas.
His poems were published in many different literary magazines. People loved his poems because they had a unique musical feel and used vivid pictures inspired by the folk stories and traditions of Anatolia. He only published one collection of poems called Hasretinden Prangalar Eskittim (which means "Fetters Worn Out by Longing"). This book was incredibly popular and was printed many, many times!
Ahmed Arif also wrote for the literary magazine Papirüs, which was put together by another famous poet, Cemal Süreya.
The Life of Ahmed Arif
Ahmed Arif's background was a mix of different cultures, which often influenced his writing. He was known for his strong voice and his ability to connect with everyday people through his words. Even though he only published one book, its impact was huge.
His Amazing Poetry
Ahmed Arif's poems are special because they combine deep feelings with images from Turkish and Kurdish village life. He wrote about love, longing, justice, and the struggles of ordinary people. His words were powerful and touched the hearts of many readers. He is still considered one of the most beloved poets in Turkey.
"Ay Karanlık" and Its Translations
"Ay Karanlık" (which means "The Moon Is Dark") is one of Ahmed Arif's well-known poems. In 2023, the Paris Institute for Critical Thinking (PICT) started a project to translate his poems into English. So far, two of these translations, done by David Selim Sayers and Evrim Emir-Sayers, are available online for everyone to read. This helps more people around the world discover Ahmed Arif's beautiful poetry.
See also
- Ahmet Arif Literature Museum Library
