Turkey
İstiklâl Marşı
Istiklal Marsi
Independence March
1921
1921
Mehmet Akif Ersoy
Osman Zeki Üngör
🗽 Independence 🚩 Flag ⚔ Battle / War ✝ God / Faith |
Context
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.
Lyrics
Korkma, sönmez bu şafaklarda yüzen al sancak;
Sönmeden yurdumun üstünde tüten en son ocak.
O benim milletimin yıldızıdır, parlayacak;
O benimdir, o benim milletimindir ancak.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • The anthem was adopted in 1921, two years before the Turkish Republic was officially proclaimed in 1923
- • Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy later regretted writing the anthem and left Turkey, dying in exile
- • The anthem has 10 stanzas, but only the first two are typically performed at official events