| Art Profile |
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Çetin Altan was born in Istanbul in 1927. After graduating from Galatasaray High School, he received BA in Law from Ankara University.
Altan was a multiple writer and wrote numerous columns, theater scripts, fictions, science fictions, political studies, historical studies, essays, humor books, travel books, memory books, anthologies and biographical stories. His poems and prose were published in Çınaraltı, Varlık, İstanbul ve Kaynak between 1943 and 1944. In 1946 he published his first book entitled Üçüncü Mevki. Altan worked as a journalist and wrote columns for several newspapers such as Ulus, Halkçı, Tan, Akşam, Milliyet, Yeni Ortam, Hürriyet, Güneş and Çarşaf magazine. In 1959 he accepted Abdi İpekçi′s offer and started working as a journalist for Milliyet. Altan then worked and wrote columns for many newspapers such as Akşam, Hürriyet, Güneş, Sabah as well as Milliyet. His columns, written between 1960 and 1970, were gathered in books including Taş, Sömürücülerle Savaş, Suçlanan Yazılar, ‘Kahrolsun Komünizm’ Diye Diye, Onlar Uyanırken, Kopuk Kopuk, Geçip Giderken, Gölgelerin Gölgesi, Şeytanın Aynaları, Bir Yumak İnsan and Nar Çekirdekleri. In 1992 some of his writings were selected and published in “Seçmeler” (selections). Altan revised and expanded it and published again under the name of “Dünyada Bırakılmış Mektuplar” in 1997. Altan also published daily newspaper columns, written in the past 15 years, in the book Şeytanın Gör Dediği. He also prepared an alphabet book for children.
Altan was a member of parliament for Workers Party of Turkey (Türkiye İşçi Partisi) between 1965 and 1969. He was prosecuted more than 300 times due to his articles. Altan was arrested three times and convicted two times.
In 1978 Altan received a prize from Turkish Language Association (Türk Dil Kurumu) for his book Bir Yumak İnsan. He received a Reward of Culture and Art by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2009. Altan passed away in Istanbul in 2015.
Reference: tr.wikipedia.com, google.com.tr/images |
