Nazım Hikmet commemorated in Russia on the 122nd anniversary of his birth

The event, organized by the Moscow Yunus Emre Institute, the Moscow Nâzım Hikmet Culture and Art Foundation, the Moscow Ministry of Culture, the Moscow Northern District Culture Administration, and the Russian Federation Union of Cinematographers, took place at the House of Cinema (Dom Kino) in Moscow.

The event was attended by Turkey's Ambassador to Moscow Tanju Bilgiç and his wife Betül Bilgiç, as well as YEE Supervisory Board Member Ali Özgündüz, Moscow YEE Coordinator Mehmet Ülker, Moscow Nâzım Hikmet Culture and Art Foundation President Ali Galip Savaşır, and Moscow Northern District Culture Administration Director Aleksandra Ilyina.

In the program, which featured film actress Türkan Şoray and numerous Turkish and Russian citizens, a short film depicting Şoray's life was screened.

In his speech at the event, Turkey's Ambassador to Moscow Bilgiç stated that art is universal, saying, "Even years after his death, Nazım Hikmet is able to bring Turks and our Russian friends together in the same hall here. He proves to us once again the universality of art."

Bilgiç thanked those who contributed to the organization of the event.

"HE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INTERACTION BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA"

YEE Supervisory Board Member Özgündüz also stated that Nazım Hikmet produced "serious" works, adding, "Hikmet continues to live on in his 122nd year with his poems and works. Hikmet, who made significant contributions to the friendship and cultural interaction between Turkey and Russia, is among the leading poets who best described the War of Independence we fought under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk."

Nâzım Hikmet Culture and Art Foundation President Savaşır also stated that Nazım Hikmet is a shared value of Russia and Turkey, saying, "Just as in this hall, Nazım continues to bring people with different worldviews, lifestyles, languages, and thoughts together with friendship and brotherhood. Nazım's works and thoughts illuminate our path and inspire new generations."

Savaşır expressed that they continue to pass on Hikmet's legacy to future generations through the foundation's work.

Artist Türkan Şoray expressed her happiness to be in Moscow for the 122nd anniversary of Nazım Hikmet's birth, saying, "Nazım Hikmet always made us experience the most intense emotions with his unique poems consisting of words flowing from my heart."

The event continued with the screening of the 1978 film "Bir Aşk Masalı-Ferhat ile Şirin" (A Love Tale-Ferhat and Shirin), starring Türkan Şoray, Alla Sigalova, and Faruk Pekel.

The film, a Turkish-Russian co-production based on the play "Ferhad and Shirin" written by Nazım Hikmet in three acts, was screened in Russian with Turkish subtitles.

"ART KNOWS NO BORDERS"

Answering questions before the event, Türkan Şoray stated that she was happy that the film "Bir Aşk Masalı-Ferhat ile Şirin," in which she played the lead role, was being shown in Moscow, adding, "Art knows no borders; it brings people together wherever they are in the world. People become one heart through art. This is the value and importance of art."

Expressing her belief that her visit to Moscow would also provide an opportunity to connect with Russian artists, Şoray described walking in Red Square when she arrived. Şoray said, "It is a very different feeling to have walked in this square years ago and then to come here again. I was moved."

Regarding Nazım Hikmet's works, Türkan Şoray said, "Nazım is a giant poet; he has influenced everyone in our country, just as he has all over the world. His poems are poems that touch the human soul."