A panel titled “The 105th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Turkish National Anthem
and Mehmet Akif Ersoy” was held at Erzurum Technical University (ETU).
The event, organized in the Prof. Dr. Muammer Yaylalı Conference Hall with the
contributions of the History Club, Turkology Club, and Yeni Kalemler Club, was attended
by ETÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Bulent Çakmak, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Naim Ürkmez, Dean of the
Faculty of Letters Prof. Dr. Uğur Akbulut, as well as numerous academics and students.
The panel was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Caner Solak, a faculty member of the
Department of Turkish Language and Literature. The speakers included Dr. Gökçen Sevim
and Dr. Hunkar Karaca Yalçın from the Department of Turkish Language and Literature,
and Dr. Harun Çoban from the Department of History.
During the panel, the historical context in which the Turkish National Anthem (İstiklal Marşı)
was written, the social and political conditions that shaped its emergence, and the intellectual
world of Mehmet Akif Ersoy were examined from various perspectives. The speakers
emphasized that the National Anthem represents one of the most powerful symbols of the
Turkish nation’s struggle for independence and highlighted that it reflects the nation’s
collective will for freedom and shared values.
The discussions also underlined that Mehmet Akif Ersoy should be regarded not only as a
poet but also as a significant intellectual figure who embodied the ideals of independence and
the shared values of the Turkish nation through his intellectual depth, moral stance, and his
role during the years of the War of Independence. The speakers stressed the importance of
younger generations correctly understanding the historical context and significance of the
National Anthem.
The panel, which attracted considerable interest from participants, addressed the process of
the anthem’s adoption, Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s literary identity, and his role during the National
Struggle from historical and cultural perspectives. The program concluded with a question-
and-answer session following the presentations.

Directorate of Corporate Communication and Promotion March 12, 2026