Awards in memory of Turkish poet Necip Fazıl granted

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended a literary award ceremony on Dec. 21 in Istanbul in the memory of Turkish poet and philosopher Necip Fazıl Kısakürek.

“The main success of the Necip Fazıl awards is its contribution to liberation, enrichment and variation of our intellectual and artistic world,” Erdoğan said at the ceremony of Necip Fazıl Kısakürek Awards for Literature and Research.

Necip Fazıl was a poet, novelist and activist who contributed to Islamic thought in Turkey. He died in 1983.

Erdoğan said he believed that mission of cherishing the memory of people working for greater causes, such as Necip Fazıl, could not be limited to a single group or institution.

He announced the winners of the awards in six categories.

Arif Ay was awarded in the poetry category for his unique poems about suffering of Turkish people in recent history.

Aykut Ertuğrul received award in the story-novel category for his technique and authenticity in his stories.

Ahmet Yaşar Ocak was awarded in the opinion-research category for his academic works on people reviving Anatolia.

Yasemin Karahüseyin and Fatih Baha Aydın were given award in the first work of art category.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Harb - who translated one of Necip Fazıl's books into Arabic - was awarded in the international award category, for encouraging people to learn about Turkish culture.

This year's Prestige Award was given to Prof. Dr. Nevzat Atlığ for his efforts to convey Turkish classical music to next generations.

The Necip Fazıl Kisakurek Awards Ceremony has been held annually since 2014.