Abdurehim Ötkür
Abdurehim Ötkür (Uyghur: ئابدۇرېھىم ئۆتكۈر, May 1923 – October 1995) was a popular Uyghur author and poet.
Abdurehim Ötkür ئابدۇرېھىم ئۆتكۈر | |
---|---|
Born | Kumul, Xinjiang, China | 1 May 1923
Died | 5 October 1995 72) | (aged
Nationality | China |
Occupation | Poet, writer |
Ötkür was born in Kumul, Xinjiang. He graduated from Xinjiang University in 1942. He then worked as the editor of the newspaper Altay Geziti till 1949. From 1949 till 1980 he worked as an interpreter in various governmental offices—as he knew Uyghur, Chinese, Russian and English all well.
From 1980 to his death Ötkür worked as a scholar in the Institute of Literature Studies of the Academy of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Xinjiang. In 1988 was appointed as a Vice Chairman of the Society of Kutadgu Bilig Studies.
On 20 March 2019, Harvard president Lawrence Bacow's speech which included Abdurehim's poet at Peking University espoused the values of free speech and academic freedom at one of China's top universities, even reading out a verse written by a poet from the country's long-suppressed Uyghur community.[1][2]
Works
Ötkür first published his poems in 1940. The poems "Tarim Boyliri" (Along Tarim) and "Yürek Mungliri" (Melodies of the heart) were very popular. His last novels, "Iz" (The Track) and "Oyghanghan Zimin" (The Awakened Land), became some of the most popular novels among Uyghur people for their social and historical significance.
- Qeshqer Kéchisi, Ürümchi: Xinjiang People's Press, 1980.
- Iz,(Novel) Ürümchi: Xinjiang People's Press, 1985.
- Ömür Menzilliri, Ürümchi: Xinjiang Youths Press, 1985.
- Oyghanghan Zimin (Novel-trilogy)
Poetry
- Uchrashqanda (The encounter)
- Didim nichün qorqmassen? Didi tengrim bar,
- Didim yene chu? Didi xelqim bar,
- Didim yene yoqmu? Didi rohim bar,
- Didim shükranmusen? U didi yaq yaq.
Translation:
- I ask, why are you not afraid? She says, I have my God,
- I ask, what else? She says, I have my people,
- I ask, what more? She says, I have my soul,
- I ask, are you content? She says, I am not.
See also
References
- "Harvard's president read a Uyghur poem to students at Peking University". qz.com. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- "The Pursuit of Truth and the Mission of the University". harvard.edu. Retrieved 20 March 2019.