All anthems

Turkey

İstiklâl Marşı

Istiklal Marsi

Independence March

1921
1921
Mehmet Akif Ersoy
Osman Zeki Üngör
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Key Facts

  • 1. The anthem has 10 full stanzas totaling 40 lines, but only the first two stanzas are performed at official events; most Turkish citizens have never heard or read the remaining eight.
  • 2. Composer Zeki Ungor's original melody was replaced in 1930 by a new arrangement by Osman Zeki Ungor (no relation), and the current orchestration has remained the standard ever since.
  • 3. Turkish law requires everyone to stand at attention during the anthem, and it is a misdemeanor to parody or disrespect the 'Istiklal Marsi,' with penalties including fines.
Turkey - İstiklâl Marşı

Lyrics

Only the first two stanzas of the 10-stanza poem are officially sung
Korkma, sönmez bu şalaklarda yüzen al sancak; Sönmeden yurdumun üstünde tüten en son ocak. O benim milletimin yıldızıdır, parlayacak; O benimdir, o benim milletimindir ancak. Çatma, kurban olayım, çehreni ey nazlı hilal! Kahraman ırkıma bir gül! Ne bu şiddet, bu celal? Sana olmaz dökülen kanlarımız sonra helal... Hakkıdır, Hakk’a tapan, milletimin istiklal!

Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals

Analysis

Editorial

Written during the Turkish War of Independence in 1921, the anthem was adopted before the Republic was even proclaimed. Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy wrote it to boost morale during the darkest days of the independence struggle against occupying forces.

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