Through special events organized in its representative offices in different geographies around the world, Yunus Emre Institute commemorates the literary figures who left their mark in Turkish and world literature with their works.

Yunus Emre Institute in Moscow brought together literature lovers interested in the life and works of Nâzım Hikmet in a commemoration event organized on 28 January 2023 on the occasion of the 121st anniversary of the birth of Nâzım Hikmet, who was awarded the World Peace Prize.

Hosted by the Moscow Nâzım Hikmet Culture and Art Foundation, "Nâzım Hikmet Commemoration Event" was organized under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Moscow in cooperation with the Yunus Emre Institute in Moscow, Moscow Municipality, Moscow Northern Region Cultural Administration and Moscow Nâzım Hikmet Library.

The event included the screening of a documentary about Nâzım Hikmet's life, a poetry recital consisting of poems written by Nâzım and live stage performances.

The commemoration event was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Moscow Mehmet Samsar, Moscow Yunus Emre Institute Coordinator Dr. Mehmet Ülker, Founding President of the Nâzım Hikmet Culture and Art Foundation Ali Galip Savaşır, Director of Cultural Administration of the Northern Region of Moscow Alexandra Ilyina, Director of the Moscow Nâzım Hikmet Library Sudyina Galina Vyacheslavovna, Director of the Development of Moscow Cultural Centers Timur Vadimovich Vahitov, President of the Russian Book Union Sergei Vadimovich Stepashin, representatives of Turkish institutions, Turkish and Russian Nâzım Hikmet fans and guests.

Starting his speech by reciting Nâzım Hikmet's verses, Mehmet Samsar, Turkish Ambassador to Moscow, emphasized that Hikmet's works united Türkiye and Russia and said: "By remembering and commemorating him here today, we are actually touching each other's lives thanks to him. That is exactly the unifying effect. Nâzım is instrumental in building bridges of friendship between the two countries even after so many years passed since his death. In this context, it is Nâzım who has been instrumental in bringing us from Türkiye and Russia together here."

Moscow Yunus Emre Institute Coordinator Dr. Mehmet Ülker said in his speech: "Yunus Emre Institute carries out activities worldwide to help the Turkish people and other peoples get to know each other better with their humanitarian and cultural values and to create cultural interaction between Türkiye and other countries. As Yunus Emre Institute in Moscow, we carry out our activities in this regard. An indication of this is the event commemorating Nâzım Hikmet, the common value of Turkish and Russian societies, that brought us together here today."

Ali Galip Savaşır, Founding President of the Nâzım Hikmet Culture and Art Foundation, said: "Although almost 60 years have passed since his death, Nâzım Hikmet continues to be a bridge that connects people from different countries with different views and beliefs through his works."

Alexandra Ilyina, Director of Cultural Administration of the Northern Region of Moscow, said: "Moscow Libraries are named after writers, poets, literary critics, philosophers and other important personalities. Among these libraries is one named after Nâzım Hikmet. We are proud to have a library named after Nâzım Hikmet."

Sudyina Galina Vyacheslavovna, Director of the Nâzım Hikmet Library in Moscow, said: "A poet can only become famous if his literary talent resonates in the hearts of his homeland, his fellow citizens. Nâzım Hikmet is a unique person in this sense. Because he is considered a national poet in both countries. Today, the name of Nâzım Hikmet continues to be an invisible link connecting the peoples of Russia and Türkiye."

After the protocol speeches, the documentary "Nâzım Aramızda (Nâzım Is Among Us)” was screened, featuring many places where Nâzım lived from Moscow to Istanbul. Then, Nâzım Hikmet's poems "Turns Out I Love" and "I Want to Die Before You" were performed by the students.

During the event, which continued with live performances of the students, unique flavors of Turkish cuisine were served to the guests.

NÂZIM HİKMET COMMEMORATION EVENTS IN RUSSIA

Yunus Emre Institute in Moscow commemorates the great poet Nâzım Hikmet, who raised Turkish as our flag in Russia, with many events organized on the anniversaries of his birth and death.