Turkey: ‘Arif the Bard’ dies at age 70

By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish poet, songwriter, and composer Arif Sirin, also known as “Arif the Bard,” died at age 70, his doctor announced on Wednesday.

Sirin had been undergoing medical care at Ondokuz Mayis Hospital in the northern province of Samsun.

Mehmet Alp Sirin, the poet's son, told reporters that his father always wanted a better Turkey.

Born in the Black Sea province of Giresun in 1949, Sirin went to school in Samsun due to his father’s work. While in high school, Sirin took interest in the baglama, a traditional Turkish instrument.

In the 1970s he worked first as a teacher and then a school principal, while also doing amateur performances in the capital Ankara.

He received his first award in a competition in 1978. After going to Germany for a tour in 1980, he was unable to return due to the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup.

In 1991, Alparslan Turkes, founder of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), called on Sirin to come home.

His poems and lyrics stressed Turkish nationalism, and his poems Aci Gurbet, Bayram Duasi, and Bana Sor won great praise.

Sirin is to be laid to rest on Saturday.