Revolutionary witness of recent history

Fair Scout

A biography of writer , translator, and publisher Vedat Günyol, a prominent figure in Turkey known for his humanism, has been written by his student Aydın Ergil. Presented by Cumhuriyet Books under the title "Vedat Günyol's Biography," the book powerfully conveys Günyol's testimonies, political life, and passion for teaching. We spoke with one of his students, Nesim Ovedya İzrail, and a close friend, Ali Kıvrakdal, about the book.

We've all read Aydın Ergil's book. Can we now say we have a nearly complete biography of Vedat Günyol? What are your first impressions?

NO İzrail: Twenty-one years have passed since Vedat Günyol's death, and his works have barely been reprinted. It's safe to say his recognition and, consequently, his readership have declined. In contrast, Aydın Ergil's book, "Vedat Günyol's Biography," is a very comprehensive work. I can say that Aydın Ergil's work has been very beneficial to Vedat Günyol's friends.

A. Kıvrakdal: We can. However, I'd like to add: Simply describing it as a biography would be a bit inadequate. Those who read the book will immediately realize that this is also—albeit indirectly—the nearly century-long story of our Republic.

The book employs a methodology that differs from that employed in classic biographies. Chapter headings include student life, school, and quests, as well as homes, streets, picnics, journeys, acquaintances, trials, and the death of friends. This is a feature that allows the book to be read like a novel! What do you think?

NO İzrail: The book is actually comprised of Vedat Günyol's memoirs, written by him but not yet collected together. Aydın Ergil compiled this scattered collection from Vedat Günyol's writings, books, interviews, conversations, the writings of others, and all sorts of other sources, large and small, found in the margins. Notice that the book's cover says "Compiled by Aydın Ergil." There's a genre in literature called "compilation," and this book is a prime example.

A. Kıvrakdal: Yes, he has a different method. Aydın Ergil was very close to Vedat Günyol from 1968 until his passing on July 9, 2004. He was not only a student, but also a reader, friend, and confidant. Thus, he maintains this devotion as fresh as the day it was first created. He searched for, read, and archived everything related to the teacher, including documents, information, books, magazines, and pictures. I believe he currently possesses the most documentation and information on Vedat Günyol. The book has a dimension that transcends a typical biography.

Can we say that Vedat Bey's life, which is so detailed, also sheds important and valuable light on the last hundred years of our country's history (from the 1910s to the present)?

NO İzrail: Human lives certainly have their own unique aspects. These are where authentic material for history emerges. Vedat Günyol, through the eyes of a child, conveys vivid and concrete observations about the Armenian events of the final years of the Ottoman Empire. From Günyol's life, we can learn vividly about the sexual dangers faced by young male students in schools in the southeast, about foreign-language schools in Istanbul, about Village Institutes, and about the quality of national education in high schools, all significant turning points in our history. Günyol, with all his warmth, conveys the trials related to Communism, once considered one of the most serious crimes in politics and not even mentioned today, as a memory for younger generations.

A. Kıvrakdal: That's exactly what it means. Because Vedat Günyol is a wise man. He literally embraces the universe, extending from the local to the national, and from the national to the universal.

Vedat Bey's life is a monumental one! It must have been quite a challenge for someone of his stature to write such a book. Can we say that Aydın Ergil has mastered the task?

A. Kıvrakdal: Vedat Günyol is a school of thought. In this respect, Aydın Ergil meticulously prepared the book and revised it numerous times. He worked on it for a long time with his wife, Nurdan Ergil, reviewing everything he could find about Vedat Günyol, including his interviews, books, and magazines. In other words, the book went through a difficult process to bring it to its current state. You're asking if Aydın Ergil overcame this challenge. I think he did.

NO İzrail: Aydın Ergil is an enlightened individual who possesses the exact qualities to pull off this task. After making this decision, he strives to do his best and does it. It's a good thing he took on such a task and has created a work that will likely never be bettered again.

While reading the book, I felt—again—that Vedat Bey's life ran parallel not only to literature, art, and culture, but also to civilization. What are your impressions of this?

A. Kıvrakdal: As I answered in the previous question, we can't confine Vedat Günyol to a specific area. As the esteemed poet Haydar Ergülen described him, "He's an Anatolian, worldly sage. One hand in Socrates, the other in Yunus Emre... One hand in Erasmus, the other in Pir Sultan, and Karacaoğlan..." Everything related to humanity is his field of study. Those who read his books will immediately realize this. He is a sage who lives as he envisions.

We can also express this judgment for Sabahattin Eyuboğlu, the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, Azra Erhat, and Bedri Rahmi Eyuboğlu, who are frequently mentioned in the book, as well as Vedat Günyol. What do you think?

A. Kıvrakdal: These esteemed individuals you mentioned were very close friends of Vedat Günyol. They translated and published books together, published magazines, undertook Blue Voyages, and together they shaped the Blue Anatolian worldview. They ate, drank, sang folk songs, conversed, shared their troubles, worked, and struggled at the same table. They passed away, offering their regards to those who left their mark on the world.

In fact, I said, "Oh, if only a book could be written about these values ​​in this context. I know that's how we can achieve holism."

NO İzrail: There are many figures in art, literature, and the very foundation of our country. These figures were held in high esteem as long as they produced their works. However, after their lifetimes, they began to be forgotten because they were not acknowledged. The figures you mention are essentially artists with similar worldviews and a certain degree of interaction and solidarity between them. Vedat Günyol is in a slightly different position today. A large circle of friends, comprised of those who admired his views, still remain and continue to strive to preserve his memory. His friends and students form the cornerstone of this effort. After his death, they continued his social activities without interruption, as if Vedat Günyol were alive. Since 2015, they have expanded with supporting organizations and established the "Vedat Günyol Essay Awards." This year marks the 10th anniversary, and the awards continue to be presented within the purview of an increasingly prestigious circle. Vedat Günyol's name continues to unite organizations such as the Kartal Municipality, the Turkish Writers' Union, Cumhuriyet newspaper, and the PEN Writers' Association of Turkey.

However, it seems that the lack of such strong support from the other artists you mentioned has led you to ask this question.

A. Kıvrakdal: There are biographies written about Sabahattin Eyuboğlu, the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, and Azra Erhat, whom you mentioned. However, I don't know what information and documents relevant biographers have on hand, such as Aydın Ergil's information and documents on Vedat Günyol. I don't know if a biography has been written about Bedri Rahmi Eyuboğlu. His daughter-in-law's memoirs provide some information.

All schools hold a special place in Vedat Bey's teaching career, but Hasanoğlan High Village Institute stands out. Why should it be so?

NO İzrail: Vedat Günyol is recognized as a representative of humanism. Yet, he is also a revolutionary intellectual who stands on one side of the class struggle. When one speaks of the left, Vedat Günyol is a leftist in every detail that comes to mind. Meeting the broadcloth-clad village children and young people in Hasanoğlan and witnessing their eagerness and diligence for education, he witnessed the class contradictions, was moved, and chose his side. This shaping process continued until the end of Vedat Günyol's life. Doctor of Law Vedat Günyol chose to become a teacher, a path he had chosen for his life. Despite trials and imprisonment along the way, he continued to impart the truths he had learned to young people.

A. Kıvrakdal: Vedat Günyol always prioritized teaching. Throughout his long life, he frequently stated in his essays that a modern country could not be established without educating the people. He considers the three years he spent as a teacher at the Hasanoğlan High Village Institute a special place in his career. The desire and enthusiasm of the village children he encountered there always inspired him, gave him hope, and inspired him.

Like Sabahattin Eyuboğlu, with whom he worked alongside at the Translation Office and Hasanoğlan High Village Institute, he worked tirelessly until his last breath as a member of the educational army. Numerous students, even in their old age, sought him out until his death. Aydın Ergil is the most vivid witness to the joy he felt during the time he spent with his students. The May 19th gatherings in Burgazada, whose 60th anniversary was celebrated in 2025, continue today with students and friends.

A. Ergil says, "Being a student of Vedat Bey isn't enough to have studied in his class. Reflecting this light is also part of the job. If you're not tolerant, if you have a dark side in your soul, if you don't like people, if you don't like folk songs, if you don't sing them, if you're not an enemy of darkness, even if you studied in his class, you can't be a student of Vedat Bey." How can we carry the idealism in these words into today and tomorrow?

A. Kıvrakdal: While not as crowded as in recent years, gatherings and discussions on May 19th continue. Aydın Ergil's emphasis that simply being a student is not enough expresses Vedat Hoca's tolerant, humanist, and outspoken nature, reflected in his wise personality. Collaboration is an essential characteristic of a teacher. He means being respectful and loving, free from selfishness and rudeness.

Vedat Bey's books are hard to find these days. I honestly don't have much hope that all his manuscripts and translations will be published as a series. A plan comes to mind: a handbook! What if the topics and concepts Vedat Bey addresses in his writings were first listed: civilization, education, culture, art, and so on, and then his thoughts on these areas were selected from his books? I hope someone brave enough to tackle this one day. What do you think?

A. Kıvrakdal: His students and friends are working hard on this. As you know, there are Vedat Günyol Essay Awards named after him. Some of his books are being prepared for publication in 2025. His book, "Is the State Human?", was published by Telgrafhane Publications in July. The offer is good, but it requires a dedicated friend who can write. Those interested can contact Aydın and Nesim. I'm sure they will be helped.

NO İzrail: As Ali said, we're not just waiting for bold individuals. Aydın Ergil, a civil engineer and student of Vedat Günyol, is one of those bold individuals you mentioned. A few years ago, when the esteemed lawyer Celal Ülgen suggested, "Let's establish a Vedat Günyol Institute," I didn't quite understand. Now I understand better that Aydın Ergil could be the founder and influential academic of this institute. I can see new friends around me who would be a good fit for this institute.

The book is perfectly mature, but I think it should have included an index at the end. There are so many names! It would have made things easier for researchers.

A. Kıvrakdal: The "Index" issue was on the agenda during the book's preparation phase. However, I believe it was postponed during the printing process. I believe Aydın Ergil will take this issue into consideration in future editions.

Aydın Ergil, The Biography of Vedat Günyol, Cumhuriyet Books, Istanbul, May 2025