Musa Anter's legacy revived: Kurdish writers and publishers bring his works to new audiences
Dijla Anter, the son of Musa Anter, shared this exciting development with Kurdistan24, highlighting the growing interest in preserving and promoting her father’s literary contributions.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Kurdish literary heritage is witnessing a remarkable revival as several publishing houses in the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdistan of Turkey (Bakur) are republishing the works of renowned Kurdish poet and writer Musa Anter with a fresh and unique design. In addition, a number of his books, originally written in Turkish, have now been translated into Kurdish by dedicated Kurdish writers, making his works more accessible to a broader audience.
Dijla Anter, the son of Musa Anter, shared this exciting development with Kurdistan24, highlighting the growing interest in preserving and promoting her father’s literary contributions. While expressing some concern that his father was unable to publish in his mother tongue during his lifetime, he welcomed recent efforts to translate his books, allowing Kurdish readers to engage more deeply with his influential writings.
Born in 1920 in the village of Zivingê, Mardin Province, Musa Anter was a highly influential figure in Kurdish literature and activism. Despite facing repeated imprisonment for his works, he remained a steadfast advocate for Kurdish culture and language. Tragically, he was assassinated in Diyarbakır in September 1992 by the Turkish JITEM; however, his legacy continues to inspire new generations.
Some of his most notable works include Birîna Reş (1959), Qimil (1962), Kurdish Dictionary (1967), My Memories (1991), and Çînara Min (1999). With ongoing efforts to republish and translate his writings, Musa Anter’s voice continues to resonate, ensuring that his contributions to Kurdish literature will endure for years to come.