Cetin Altan

Çetin Altan (22 June 1927 – 22 October 2015): A Brief Overview

Çetin Altan was a prominent figure in Turkish literature, journalism, and politics during the late 20th century.

Çetin Altan: Early Life and Education;

Çetin Altan, born on 22 June 1927 to lawyer Halit Bey and Nurhayat, had an intriguing early life and educational journey:

• Name Change:
  • Originally named Altan, his name was changed to Çetin after the introduction of the Surname Law in Turkey in 1934.

• Education:
  • At the age of eight, he became a boarding pupil at the prestigious Galatasaray High School.
  • Despite receiving his education at an elite institution, Altan experienced loneliness during his time there.

• Higher Education:
  • After completing his education at Galatasaray High School, Çetin Altan pursued a degree at Ankara University Law School.

• Career Choice:
  • Despite his father's desire for him to pursue a diplomatic career, Çetin Altan chose a path in writing, driven by a desire to "escape the loneliness" he felt.

Çetin Altan's early experiences and educational choices set the stage for his later contributions to literature and journalism in Turkey. His decision to follow a writing career marked the beginning of a journey that would establish him as a significant figure in Turkish intellectual circles.

Çetin Altan: Writing Career and Political Involvement;

Writing Career:

• Çetin Altan began his literary journey by publishing poems and stories in various magazines, including Çınaraltı, Varlık, İstanbul, and Kaynak.
• His debut book, titled Üçüncü Mevki, was published in 1946.
• Altan entered the field of journalism as a reporter for the newspaper Ulus. Over the years, he contributed columns to several publications, including Hürses, Halkçı, Tan, Akşam, Milliyet, Yeni Ortam, Hürriyet, Güneş, and Çarşaf magazine.

Columnist at Milliyet:

• In 1959, Çetin Altan accepted an offer from Abdi İpekçi to write columns for the daily Milliyet, succeeding Peyami Safa.
• Altan expressed dismay over the death of university student Turan Emeksiz, who was killed during a student demonstration against the ruling Democrat Party in April 1960.

Entry into Politics:

• Çetin Altan ventured into politics following the 1960 Turkish coup d'état and was elected to the parliament from the Workers Party of Turkey (Türkiye İşçi Partisi, TİP) after the 1965 general election.
• Serving as a deputy of Istanbul Province until 1969, Altan documented his experiences in a book titled When I was Deputy, providing insights into Turkey's political landscape during that period.

Political Involvement and Controversies:

• Known for his sharp and witty remarks, Çetin Altan engaged in parliamentary debates. He once made a memorable comment to the deputy speaker, humorously referencing the difference in seat heights.
• On February 20, 1968, Altan praised Nazim Hikmet as a "great poet," leading to a physical attack in parliament by over a hundred MPs of the Justice Party (AP).
• Altan faced numerous legal challenges, having been prosecuted over 300 times for his articles. He was arrested three times and spent a total of two years in prison.

Çetin Altan's writing career and political involvement were marked by his outspoken and courageous stance, both in literary circles and the tumultuous world of Turkish politics.

Çetin Altan: Literary Works, Plays, and Legacy;

Literary Works:

• Çetin Altan authored several novels and collections of essays that critiqued the social and political landscape of Turkey. He approached contemporary Turkish society and culture from a socially liberal and socialist perspective.
• Notable works include: Taş (Satire), Sömürücülerle Savaş (Struggle against the Exploiters), Suçlanan Yazılar (Accused Writings), Kahrolsun Komünizm Diye Diye Globalleşme (Globalization Saying 'Down with Communism'), Onlar Uyanırken (While They Awaken), Kopuk Kopuk (Broken off), Geçip Giderken (While Going by), Gölgelerin Gölgesi (Shadow of Shadows), Şeytanın Aynaları (Mirrors of the Devil), Bir Yumak İnsan (A Group of People), and Nar Çekirdekleri (Pomegranate Seeds).
• His novel Büyük Gözaltı (The Great Detention), published in 1972, narrates his experiences during the 1971 Turkish coup d'état and earned him the Orhan Kemal Novel Award in 1973.

Plays:

• Çetin Altan also wrote theater plays such as Çemberler (Circles), Mor Defter (The Purple Notebook), Suçlular (The Convicted) in 1965, Dilekçe (The Petition), and Tahteravalli (The Seesaw).
• Other writings include essays like Aşk, Sanat ve Servet (Love, Art, and Wealth) and Atatürk’ün Sosyal Görüşleri (The Social Views of Atatürk) in 1965, as well as a humor book, Zurnada Peşrev Olmaz (There is No Prelude in the Clarion).
• Altan's diverse literary repertoire extends to travel books, autobiography, poetry, and even an alphabet book.

Legacy:

• Çetin Altan's life story was portrayed in the novel İpek Böceği Cinayeti (The Silkworm Murder) by his wife, Solmaz Kamuran, in 1998.
• Several of his novels, including Büyük Gözaltı (Etroite surveillance), Bir Avuç Gökyüzü (Une poignée de ciel), Viski (Whisky), and Zurnada Peşrev Olmaz Küçük Bahçe (Ixe enseveli ou le Petit jardin), were translated into French and published in France.

Death:

• Çetin Altan passed away on October 22, 2015, at the age of 88, due to respiratory failure resulting from pneumonia and septic shock.
• He was interred at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery following a memorial ceremony and religious funeral service. Çetin Altan is survived by his sons Mehmet Altan, Ahmet Altan, daughter Zeynep Nurhayat Altan, and granddaughter Sanem Altan.

References;

1. Oğhan, Şehriban (2015-10-22). "Çetin Altan hayal ettiği ülkeyi göremedi". Hürriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 2015-10-23.
2. "Bir aydının yol hikayesi". Milliyet (in Turkish). 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2015-10-26.
3. Çiçek, Nevzat (2014-08-17). "Irak Cumhurbaşkanı Fuat Masum bakın hangi yazarın akrabası". Timeturk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2015-10-26.
4. Sönmezışık, Büşra (2013-02-17). "İlişki kurmak kolay aşık olmak zor". Yeni Şafak (in Turkish). Retrieved 2015-10-26.
5. "Renowned Turkish columnist Cetin Altan dies". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
6. "Altan, Cetin" (in French). Librairie Compagnie. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
7. "Duayen gazeteci Çetin Altan hayatını kaybetti". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
8. "Çetin Altan toprağa verildi". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2015-10-23.