Dursun Ali Erzincanlд± Medine Mгјdafasд± [ FRESH × 2024 ]

The work is a staple of Turkish cultural memory, often performed at commemorative events. It bridges the gap between historical fact and poetic legend, portraying the Ottoman soldiers not just as fighters, but as "Mehmetçik" (little Mehmets) whose primary motivation was the protection of sacred values.

: A famous segment of the narrative describes the "Locust Famine." To survive, Fahreddin Pasha issued a famous decree stating that locusts were "clean and nutritious," teaching his soldiers how to cook them so they could continue the defense. Dursun Ali ErzincanlД± Medine MГјdafasД±

The poem depicts the period between 1916 and 1919. While the Ottoman Empire was collapsing on various fronts, Fahreddin Pasha refused to surrender the city of the Prophet Muhammad to the British and their local allies. Despite starvation, extreme heat, and dwindling supplies, the "Medina Defenders" held the city for 72 days after the Ottoman Empire had officially signed the Armistice of Mudros to end the war. Key Themes in Erzincanlı’s Rendition The work is a staple of Turkish cultural