MEHMET AKİF ERSOY

(1873, Istanbul - 27 December 1936, Istanbul)

Who is Mehmet Akif Ersoy ?

The most important poet of Turkey

• He is the national poet of Turkey .He wrote the National Anthem .

• He wrote so many remarkable poems and stories .

• He refused all kinds of earthly things.He never wanted to be famous .He always lived a very simple life .

•Now some anecdotes from his life

Mehmet Akif went to Germany on duty for his country. There he was given a luxury hotel for stay. But he refused to stay in a luxury hotel.He prefered to stay in a simple place .

Mehmet Akif went to the desert on duty . After he returned ,He went to his home to have some rest. For this trip some important government men wanted to congralulate him. But he did not want to talk to these people, because he did not like fame.

MEHMET AKİF’S HOME

Mehmet Akif decided to write an anthem for the martiers and veterans. But the most beautiful anthem was going to be given a huge a mount of money. Mehmet Akif did not want this award.His poem was chosen as the national anthem of the Turkish Republic , but he refused the money prize .He asked the money to be given to charity .

MEHMET AKİF HAD ONLY ONE JACKET. HE WORE IT ALL HİS LİFE.

In Mehmet Akif ‘s room , there was a rug , a few chairs, a study desk and a sofa. He was following the principle “ A jacket, a bite ”.

MEHMET AKİF’S GRAVE

Mehmet Akif sat at the table to write the Independence Anthem. But he could not find a pen. He looked around and he saw a piece of coal.

In his funeral , there was not even a cover on his coffin. People around brought one. He lived in simplicity and died in simplicity. While living he had very little. When he died, he also had very little. Everything about him was very simple.

He deserved so much, but he did not want anything and he preferred a simple life.