Page 9 - Young Wise

CULTURE, ART AND TECHNOLOGY

A POEM FOR THE NATION HIS DREAM: ‘ASIM’S GENERATION’
His friends knew that only he could write the perfect poem for Mehmet Akif had a great dream for the youth. He called his
the nation. They finally convinced him to write it. They promised ideal youth ‘Asım’s Generation’ (Asım’ın Nesli). In his poems,
him that he could give the prize money to a charity. He agreed Asım represents the perfect young person.
and went to his small room in Ankara, called Taceddin Dergahı.
He wrote İstiklal Marşı
with deep feelings
and tears. When the
poem was read in the
parliament on March
12, 1921, everyone was
incredibly moved. It was
exactly what the nation
needed.
Interestingly, Mehmet
What does this mean for us today? Mehmet Akif wanted
Akif never put the
young people to be well-educated, strong, and honest. He
National Anthem in his
believed that the youth should learn modern science and
famous poetry book,
technology, but they should also protect their cultural and
Safahat. When people
moral values.
asked him why, he gave
a very modest answer: Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s life is a perfect guide. He teaches us to
be humble, to work for our community, and to always
“That poem does not
stand up for what is right. Next time you sing the
belong to me anymore.
National Anthem, remember the great heart
It belongs to my heroic
of the man who wrote it.
nation.”
I spoke of Âsım’s generation—so I thought them a dream...
Yet here they stand, real and resolute: They would not let
their honour be trampled—Nor shall they ever.
Âsım’ın nesli... diyordum ya... nesilmiş gerçek: 7
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