Şahinkaya Dil
Şahinkaya Dil (18 June 1931, Çorum – 13 April 1993, Ankara) was a Turkish poet who contributed to Republican-era Turkish poetry through twelve poetry collections and his work as a magazine publisher. He was the son of Sabri Dil.
Education
He completed his primary and secondary education in Mersin and Adana, graduating from Adana Boys’ High School (Adana Erkek Lisesi). He began studying at the Faculty of Law of Ankara University but did not complete this degree.
Career and Publishing
He worked at the General Directorate of Sümerbank and at the Ministry of Culture’s Public and Children’s Publications division, retiring in 1977. Between 1946 and 1954 he published the magazine Ürün, and from October 1961 to April 1965 he published a monthly arts magazine called Çağdaş, which ran to 43 issues. He also edited the arts supplements of newspapers including Yeni Adana, Hakimiyet, Zafer and Başkent.
Poetry and Books
His first poem was published in a magazine in Adana in 1943, when he was twelve years old. His later poems appeared in magazines such as Varlık, Türk Dili, Yelken and Hisar. According to the Dictionary of Turkish Literary Names (TEİS), he published twelve poetry collections: Mısra Mısra (1950), Ebemkuşağı (1953), Ağaran Dünya (1957), Kapalı Kapıyı Açmak (1961), Işık Çığlığı (1964), Yorgun Ölü (1964), Seni Yaşamak (1965), Yorgun Sularda Aşk (1967), Güz Rüzgârı (1967), Alaca Soluk (1967), and Atatürk’e Şiirler (1981). He also compiled or published eight anthologies. TEİS notes that his poetry, written mostly in free verse with a plain diction, treats themes of Atatürk, death and inner conflict.
Award
Şahinkaya Dil received the Hürriyet Medal for a set of thirty-two poems he wrote to mark the tenth anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
For other notable figures from Çorum, see the History and People topic page.
Sources
- Dictionary of Turkish Literary Names (TEİS) — Şahinkaya Dil
- Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism — Notable Figures Raised by the City
Frequently asked questions
Who was Şahinkaya Dil?
Born in Çorum on 18 June 1931 and died in Ankara on 13 April 1993, Şahinkaya Dil was a poet, civil servant and magazine editor who, according to the Dictionary of Turkish Literary Names (TEİS), published twelve poetry collections and eight anthologies.
What was his connection to Çorum?
According to TEİS, he was born in Çorum on 18 June 1931, though he completed his primary and secondary education in Mersin and Adana.
What was the magazine Çağdaş?
A monthly arts magazine that Şahinkaya Dil published from October 1961 to April 1965, running to 43 issues in total.
What are his major poetry collections?
According to TEİS, they include Mısra Mısra (1950), Ebemkuşağı (1953), Ağaran Dünya (1957), Kapalı Kapıyı Açmak (1961), Işık Çığlığı (1964), Seni Yaşamak (1965), and Alaca Soluk (1967).