The poem, originally written by Kısakürek in 1949 after observing the Sakarya River during a train journey from Ankara, is a masterpiece of Turkish literature that reflects national feelings, spiritual struggle, and a "resurrection" of the Turkish spirit.
The 2018 live performance by Arzen has since become widely popular, amassing over 7.3 million views on platforms like the Star Gazetesi YouTube channel. Themes of the Poem The poem, originally written by Kısakürek in 1949
The (Necip Fazıl Ödülleri) was a major literary event held on December 21, 2018, in Istanbul to honor the legacy of the Turkish poet and philosopher Necip Fazıl Kısakürek . A standout highlight of the ceremony was the evocative performance of "Sakarya Türküsü" , specially composed and performed by Yücel Arzen accompanied by the Sulukule Arts Academy . The 2018 Awards Ceremony A standout highlight of the ceremony was the
"Sakarya Türküsü" is not merely a description of a river; it is a profound historical and philosophical critique. Dr. Muhammad Harb
Yücel Arzen composed the music specifically for this edition of the awards.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Atlığ for his contributions to Turkish classical music The Performance: "Sakarya Türküsü"
Yasemin Karahüseyin and Fatih Baha Aydın International Award: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Harb