THE IDEA OF INDEPENDENCE IN THE WORKS OF MEHMET AKIF ERSOY AND ITS REFLEC TION IN AZERBAIJANI CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

The idea of independence is one of the fundamental ideological pillars of national self-consciousness and statehood in Turkish and Azerbaijani literature. Particularly in the early twentieth century—against the backdrop of the collapse of empires and the strengthening of national liberation movements—this idea became one of the leading themes of literature. In both Turkey and Azerbaijan, independence has been understood not only as political sovereignty but also as spiritual freedom, national dignity, and historical responsibility. In this context, the works of Mehmet Akif Ersoy are considered a classical example of the poetic expression of the idea of independence. His ideological and aesthetic views influenced not only Turkish literature but also the broader intellectual thought of the Turkic world, including Azerbaijani literature. In Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s works, the idea of independence is not addressed solely to adults but also serves as a moral appeal to future generations. An educational subtext directed toward youth and children is clearly felt in his writings. This is particularly evident in the emphasis on concepts such as love of homeland, self-sacrifice, and responsibility. In Azerbaijani children’s literature, the idea of independence began to take shape mainly from the early twentieth century. In children’s works written during the period of national awakening, the concepts of homeland, language, freedom, and national identity constituted the main ideological line. In this regard, the works of Abdulla Shaig are of particular importance. In his writings for children, ideas of love for the homeland, devotion to national values, and moral purity are presented in a simple and comprehensible manner. Here, the idea of independence is expressed not as a direct political term but through the notions of “homeland,” “mother tongue,” and “the right to live freely.” In Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s works, the idea of independence functions as a fundamental ideological pillar of national consciousness and spiritual resistance. This idea influenced not only Turkish literature but also the ideological and aesthetic development of the Turkic world as a whole, including Azerbaijani children’s literature. In Azerbaijani children’s literature, the idea of independence is conveyed less as a direct political appeal and more through the concepts of love for the homeland, national identity, and moral responsibility. In this respect, there exists an ideological continuity and spiritual parallelism between the works of Mehmet Akif Ersoy and Azerbaijani children’s literature.