Today we want to tell you about the great Crimean Tatar poet – Amdi Giraybay. His work amazes with its depth, emotionality and expressiveness. Giraybay was not only an artist of words, but also the voice of his people, who fought for freedom and justice.
Amdi Giraybay (real name Abdulafat Latifov) was born exactly 123 years ago, on February 14, 1901, in Crimea. He devoted his life to the fight for the rights and dignity of the Crimean Tatar people. His poetry reflected the painful realities of occupation and deportation, but at the same time carried a spark of hope and faith in a better future.
Unfortunately, his life did not last long. Amdi Giraybay died on September 13, 1930, when he was only 31 years old. He was shot on charges of nationalism and espionage.
Interestingly, in April 2011, Ukrpost introduced a postal envelope with the image of the outstanding poet Amdi Giraybay.
Today we honor his memory and creativity, we remember his words, which became a symbol of strength and devotion. May his poetry always remind us of the importance of fighting for truth and justice.
In 1920, in the poem Khosh Keldiniz (“Welcome”), Giraybay wrote:
Hey, exhausted, disheveled poor people!
Enslaved Chongar people, Chatyrdag people!
Awake! The old world has crumbled
The faded sun is now shining.
Translation by Shevket Yunusov.