Ziya Gökalp was commemorated at his grave on the 102nd anniversary of his death
Ziya Gökalp, the great author, sociologist and poet who made significant contributions to the philosophy and literature of the Turkic World, was commemorated at his grave with a ceremony held in Çemberlitaş, Istanbul, on the 102nd anniversary of his passing.
Organised by the Istanbul Branch of Turkish Cultural Centers (“Türk Ocakları”) with the support of various civil society organisations, the commemoration took place at the Cemetery of the Sultan Mahmud II Mausoleum and was attended by the grandchildren of Ziya Gökalp along with the representative of the Republic of Türkiye to TURKSOY, Assoc. Prof. Dr. A. Kutalmış Yalçın, and many guests.
The commemoration organised by the Aydınlar Ocağı, the Federation of Syrian Turkmen Associations, the Iraqi Turkmen Culture and Mutual Aid Association, the Istanbul Crimean Tatar Association, Mefkûre Mektebi, the Centre for National Thought, the Association of Nationalist Scholars, the Umay Ana Association of Women of the Turkic World, RUBASAM, the Foundation of Turkic World Studies and the March 14th Association of Medicine Students.
With the ceremony, which began with a reading of the Holy Qur’an, tribute was paid to the legacy left by Ziya Gökalp to Turkish intellectual and cultural life with respect and gratitude. At the commemoration, “halva”, a dish prepared with butter, sugar and semolina flour and traditionally served following burial or posthumous commemoration ceremonies, was served to the participants in honour of the late scholar’s cherished memory.
Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın, the representative of the Republic of Türkiye to TURKSOY, emphasised that Ziya Gökalp was not merely an author and philosopher, but also a multifaceted intellectual whose ideas as a sociologist and poet made significant contributions to the field of folklore.
In his speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın conveyed the commemorative message of TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev to the participants, drawing attention to Ziya Gökalp and the special importance of his legacy in the shared cultural and intellectual heritage of the Turkic World. Recalling that 2026 was declared as the ‘Commemorative Year of Ziya Gökalp’ by TURKSOY, Mr. Yalçın further noted that this decision was taken within the framework of the 41st and 42nd sessions of the Permanent Council of TURKSOY upon proposal of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye.
Reminding of the crowds that gathered in the same region 102 years ago following Ziya Gökalp’s passing, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın expressed his appreciation as to the fact that the great philosopher’s ideas are still being kept alive despite the fact that a century has passed since his death.
Ziya Gökalp, who played a significant role in shaping the shared cultural identity of the Turkic World, continues to inspire new generations through the works and ideas he left behind.
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