Mehmet Yaşın facts for kids

Mehmet Yaşın (born 1958) is a famous poet and author from Turkish Cyprus. He is known for his interesting poems and books. His works have been translated into many different languages around the world.

About Mehmet Yaşın

Mehmet Yaşın was born in 1958 in a neighborhood called Yenişehir in Nicosia, Cyprus. His parents were Turkish Cypriots. His father, Özker Yaşın, was also a talented poet and author. Mehmet's sister, Neşe Yaşın, is also a well-known poet. It seems creativity runs in their family!

His Education and Travels

When Mehmet was 17, he left Cyprus to study in Turkey. He attended two important universities there: Ankara University and Istanbul University. Later, he continued his studies in other countries. He went to the University of Birmingham and the University of Middlesex in the United Kingdom. He also studied in France and the United States. Because of his travels and studies, Mehmet can speak Turkish, English, and Greek.

His First Works and Awards

Mehmet Yaşın's first poem was published in 1979. It appeared in a Turkish magazine called Sanat Emeği, which means "Art Work". In the 1980s, his poems started getting noticed in other popular magazines like Yazko Edebiyat and Adam Sanat.

His very first book of poems was called Sevgilim Ölü Asker, meaning "My Darling, Dead Soldier". This book was highly praised and won two awards: the Academy Poetry Award and the A. Kadir Award. However, the book was also banned for a while because some people thought its content was "dangerous". In 1994, he published his first novel, which was titled Your Kinsman Pisces.

Themes in His Writing

Mehmet Yaşın's writing often explores the idea of loss. This theme comes from his own life experiences. For example, his childhood neighborhood, Yenişehir, changed a lot over time. His family's home was also damaged during the 1974 conflict in Cyprus. These events deeply influenced his work.

In 2002, he wrote poems in the Karamanli Turkish language. During this time, he preferred to stay out of the public eye.

Important Contributions to Literature

Mehmet Yaşın also worked on a special book called An Anthology of Cypriot Poetry. In this book, he translated old Cypriot poems for the first time. These poems were from very old times, like the Phoenician and Lusignan eras. To do this, he worked with historians and archaeologists to make sure the translations were accurate. This important book won the Memet Fuat Criticism/Inquisition Award.

Around that time, Mehmet also taught lessons. He taught about Turkish Cypriot literature, comparing different literatures, and the theory of translation. He taught these lessons in both northern and southern Cyprus.

Global Reach of His Work

Mehmet Yaşın's poems and books are very popular. They have been translated into more than 20 different languages! His works have even been turned into music in places like Cyprus, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. This shows how much his writing connects with people all over the world.