Who wrote the lyrics of Turkey’s national anthem, “İstiklâl Marşı”?

Mehmet Akif Ersoy wrote the lyrics of Turkey’s national anthem, “İstiklâl Marşı,” meaning “Independence March.” The Turkish Grand National Assembly adopted the poem on 12 March 1921, during the Turkish War of Independence. Ersoy wrote ten stanzas, but official performances normally use the first two.

The poem emphasizes the Turkish flag, faith, sacrifice, freedom, and resistance. Ersoy initially hesitated to enter the competition because a cash prize was offered, but he submitted the poem after the prize issue was addressed. The anthem’s music was selected later, after several competing compositions had circulated.

The melody is by Osman Zeki Üngör, while the orchestration is associated with Edgar Manas. This distinction matters because Ersoy wrote the words but did not compose the music. The anthem remains a central symbol of the Republic of Turkey and is performed at schools, state ceremonies, and sporting events.