Nazim Hikmet, born on November 20, 1902, in Thessaloniki, then part of the Ottoman Empire (now Greece), is widely regarded as one of Turkey’s greatest poets and an influential voice in world literature. His life and works reflect a passionate commitment to social justice, human rights, and artistic innovation. Hikmet’s legacy extends beyond his poetry; his life was marked by political struggle, imprisonment, and exile, which deeply influenced his writing and cemented his status as a symbol of resistance against oppression.
Early Life and Education: The Roots of a Revolutionary Poet
Nazim Hikmet was born into a cosmopolitan family with deep ties to the Ottoman aristocracy. His father, Nazim Hikmet Bey, was a government official, while his mother, Aisha Dshalia, was a painter. This cultured and intellectual upbringing exposed Hikmet to the arts at an early age. He began studying French in Istanbul and later attended the Naval Academy, reflecting the traditional expectations of his elite background. However, due to health issues, Hikmet was forced to leave the academy, redirecting his focus toward literature.
Hikmet’s poetic journey began early. At just 14 years old, he started writing poetry, influenced by the classical traditions of Ottoman literature and the works of his paternal grandfather, who was both a Pasha and a poet. His early work introduced free verse into Turkish poetry, a significant departure from the rigid structures that dominated the literary scene at the time. This innovation marked the beginning of Hikmet’s lifelong commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and challenging the status quo.
The War of Independence and Political Awakening
The early 1920s were a period of great political upheaval in Turkey. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s nationalist movement led to the Turkish War of Independence. Hikmet, inspired by the ideals of independence and reform, initially supported Atatürk. However, he soon became disillusioned with the nationalist agenda, particularly its failure to address the social and economic inequalities plaguing the country.
This disillusionment led Hikmet to embrace Marxism and join the Turkish Communist Party. His political beliefs and activism would become central themes in his work, reflecting his deep commitment to the struggles of the working class and the oppressed. In 1922, facing persecution for his political activities, Hikmet chose voluntary exile and moved to the Soviet Union, where he studied sociology at the University of the Toilers of the East in Moscow.
Life in Exile: Moscow and the Influence of Russian Avant-Garde
Hikmet’s years in Moscow were transformative. The vibrant intellectual and artistic environment of the Soviet Union exposed him to the works of Russian poets and writers, including Vladimir Mayakovsky, who became a significant influence on his style. The exposure to the Russian avant-garde movement, with its emphasis on innovation and breaking with tradition, further fueled Hikmet’s creative development.
During his time in Moscow, Hikmet also married for the first time, though the marriage was short-lived. His experiences in the Soviet Union profoundly shaped his worldview and artistic vision, deepening his commitment to revolutionary ideals. When he returned to Turkey in 1928, following a general amnesty, he was a changed man, with a new mission to bring social change through his art.
Return to Turkey: Persecution and Imprisonment
Upon his return to Turkey, Hikmet faced intense persecution. The political climate in Turkey had become increasingly repressive, especially toward leftist intellectuals and activists. The Turkish Communist Party had been banned, and the government closely monitored Hikmet’s activities. Despite the hostile environment, he continued to write and publish, becoming one of the leading voices of Turkish literature.
Between 1928 and 1936, Hikmet spent several years in prison on various charges related to his political beliefs. During these years, he wrote prolifically, producing five volumes of poetry and several long narrative poems. His work from this period reflects his deepening commitment to social justice and his growing disillusionment with the state of Turkish society.
One of his most famous works from this time is the poem “The Epic of Sheik Bedreddin,” which tells the story of a 15th-century revolutionary who led a peasant uprising against the Ottoman Empire. The poem became immensely popular, particularly among the Turkish Navy, whose sailors identified with its themes of rebellion and resistance. This popularity, however, led to further trouble for Hikmet, as the government accused him of inciting the military to revolt.
The 1938 Trial and the “Epic of Sheik Bedreddin”
In 1938, Hikmet was arrested and charged with attempting to incite the Turkish military to rebellion, based largely on the popularity of his poems among naval cadets. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison, a harsh punishment that reflected the government’s fear of his influence and the growing threat of communism in Turkey. Hikmet spent the next 12 years in prison, during which time he wrote some of his most important works.
While in prison, Hikmet’s health deteriorated, but his spirit remained unbroken. He continued to write, producing poetry, plays, and essays that were smuggled out and published abroad. His imprisonment also drew international attention, with figures such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Pablo Picasso campaigning for his release. Hikmet’s poetry during this period is characterized by its emotional intensity and its exploration of themes such as freedom, love, and the human condition.
International Recognition and Exile in Moscow
In 1949, after years of international pressure, Hikmet was released from prison. However, his freedom was short-lived. Facing renewed persecution and even assassination attempts, Hikmet fled Turkey in 1951, returning to Moscow, where he would spend the rest of his life in exile. The Turkish government stripped him of his citizenship, a move that symbolized his total estrangement from his homeland.
In Moscow, Hikmet continued to write and became a prominent figure in the international communist movement. He received numerous awards, including the World Peace Council Prize, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950. Despite his success abroad, Hikmet remained deeply connected to Turkey, and his poetry continued to reflect his longing for his homeland and his commitment to its people.
Later Life and Legacy
Nazim Hikmet’s later years were marked by both personal and professional changes. He divorced his second wife and married his third wife, Vera Tulyakova, a young Russian translator. This marriage brought him some personal happiness, though his health continued to decline due to the years of hardship he had endured.
Hikmet’s poetry during his later years reflects a deepening sense of melancholy and nostalgia, as well as a continued commitment to the ideals of social justice and human dignity. His works from this period, such as “The Epic of Humanity,” explore the broader themes of human struggle and resilience, transcending the specific political context of his earlier works.
Nazim Hikmet died of a heart attack on June 3, 1963, in Moscow. He was buried in the Novodevichy Cemetery, far from his homeland. It wasn’t until 2002, nearly 40 years after his death, that the Turkish government restored his citizenship, acknowledging the profound impact he had on Turkish literature and culture.
The Enduring Influence of Nazim Hikmet
Nazim Hikmet’s legacy as a poet and activist remains deeply influential both in Turkey and around the world. His life and work continue to inspire those who fight for social justice and human rights, and his poetry is celebrated for its emotional depth, its innovative use of language, and its unwavering commitment to the cause of the oppressed.
Hikmet’s influence extends beyond literature; he is also remembered as a symbol of resistance against tyranny and a voice for the voiceless. His works, translated into many languages, continue to be read and appreciated by new generations of readers, who find in his poetry a powerful expression of the human spirit.
In the 21st century, Hikmet’s life and work have taken on new relevance, as his themes of social justice, freedom, and resistance resonate with contemporary struggles around the world. His poetry, with its blend of personal emotion and political commitment, remains a testament to the power of art to effect change and to endure beyond the confines of time and place.
Nazim Hikmet’s story is not just the story of a man, but the story of a movement, a struggle, and a belief in the possibility of a better world. His life serves as a reminder of the costs of standing up for one’s beliefs, and his poetry as a celebration of the enduring power of the human spirit.
