WE ARE PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS PRESENTED ORATORY IN SICILY, ITALY
As soon as I learnt that Turkish Students would perform an oratory in Italy for the Erasmus Project
“POETRY DRAMA AND CLASSICS ARE ON STAGE” on the topic “The story behind National Anthem” I felt so
excited to write an oratory and join oratory activity. Collaborating with my History, Literature and English
teachers, My friends and I started to write an original narrative poem. After an hardwork, I say hardwork,
because ıt wasn't easy to write an Oratory about our National Anthem. We searched a lot and gathered a lot
of information about our national poet and his biography and story to join the poetry competition organi-
sed for national anthem.. We put forward different ideas in each rehearsal to create the best and original per-
formance.We were so excited since two weeks later we were going to perform our oratory in Italian School.
Yes, it was time for us to introduce our National Poet “Mehmet Akif Ersoy “ and Our National Anthem
to the students and to the teachers from different parts of Europe.We felt so honourable when we were on
stage in Italian school. It was so precious moments for me that I was on stage to introduce our great anthem
written with many difficulties. The audience liked and they were impressed by the story and our original
performance .
Didesu Zeynep ÇORAK 11-C
THE STORY BEHIND TURKISH NATIONAL
ANTHEM
Unforgettable and hard days
Turning point in history of the country
The country was occupied.
Beatiful İstanbul and İzmir
Green Bursa were all in grief.
Oh! Soldier who fell down to the ground for
this land!
It would worth if ancestors kissed your
purified forehead
Every part of the country was surrounded by
misery
In spite of the desperation
A light shone from Samsun to the whole
country
CHORUS
” EITHER FREEDOM OR DEATH ”
He shed a light to the whole country
His words touched the heart of the nation
Now the people were one hand
Stop passanger!
This land you don't know
is the place where an age went down
Bend and give an ear to this silent ground
Is the place where a country's heart beats.
They were waiting for the day
The day of victory
The day of freedom.
It was necessary to write an anthem
Reflect the sense
Arouse the hope and faith of the nation.
CHORUS
Don't be afraid ,this red flag swaying in the
horizon won't fade away.
Last fire burning on the top of my country
without going out
It is my nation's star.It will glow
CHORUS
It is mine,It is my nations only.
Turkish National Assembly announced
The competition for writing an anthem
Provided that reflecting the struggle
Of the people children ,women young and old.
But who could manage this hard work
Who could write the anthem
The best poem would be rewarded with
Money
That's the problem for the poet
Honourable and faithful
Devoted his life to his nation and country
CHORUS
MEHMET AKİF ERSOY
Hundreds of poems were written
But they were all in vain
It must be an anthem
CHORUS
An anthem of hope, faith and freedom.
MEHMET AKİF ERSOY said proudly
“National anthem cannot be written for
fame and money”
He refused to write at first
But he was persuaded by his best friend
His best friend requested him to write an
anthem
CHORUS
He knew how he was fond of his country
and dedicated to his nation.
He started to write with a great passion
the first words with his nails
CHORUS
Not accepting the money from competition
And he always said
To the people who admired to the each word
of the poem
“An anthem must be written with a great hope
and faith”
CHORUS
What man would not die for this heavenly
piece of land?
Martyrs would gush out should one simply
squeeze the soil! Martyrs!
May God take my life, all my loved ones and
-8-
possessions from me if He will,
But may He not deprive me of my one true
homeland for the world.
This was the rebirth of the nation
The anthem was listened again and again with
tears
And endless emotions by the people
Who needed to be relieved.
CHORUS
The poet who wrote this magnificent poem
Had no coat to wear in cold days
He wore the same coat with his friend
CHORUS
Although he was in need
Although he didn't have even a coat to wear
He donated the money to a foundation
For needy children and women.
He did not write any of the words of the
national anthem
For his book SAFAHAT
His reply was so noble and sincere
“I GIFTED THIS POEM TO TURKISH NATION”
National Poet whose name was written in
Turkish Literature
With golden letters
He devoted his life to his poems and his
nation.
CHORUS
MEHMET AKİF ERSOY
“I hope from God this nation won't have to
write National Anthem again.”
Written by
Loud by
Didesu Zeynep ÇORAK Edanur BATMAN
Fatma Nur ÖZÇELİK
Didesu Zeynep ÇORAK
Kadir Takan VEREP