Special stamp to remember Nazım Hikmet on birthday

BURSA – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

World renowned Turkish poet Nazım Hikmet’s 114th birthday will be commemorated with a special postage stamp printed especially for the occasion, while a documentary will be screened about his years as a prisoner in Bursa.

The Nilüfer municipality of the northwestern province of Bursa will organize series of events for his birthday in order to remember Hikmet, whose influence extends beyond Turkey to world literature history, on Jan. 14.

The documentary, “Nazım of Bursa,” will be screened as part of the momentous occasion. The film centers on the poet’s 11 years spent in Bursa prison, including exposés of documents and interviews with witnesses and friends who were with him during these harsh years.

Hikmet was arrested several times because of his political beliefs, marking his life with years of exile and prison.

An exclusive exhibition, named in honor of Hikmet’s “Yapraklara Dallara” poem, will be organized at the Nazım Hikmet Kültürevi, a culture center named after him in Bursa. Hundreds of poems written during Hikmet’s prison years will be displayed at the exhibition.

The stamp, the first one of its kind to celebrate Nazım Hikmet, will be offered to hosts during the event. The stamp will also be sold for 1.40 Turkish Liras and available for all literature lovers.

The event will end with a special concert, “Love is a shirt of fire,” performed by Hasan Yükselir who will interpret songs composed by the veteran poet.