On the Georgian Translation of Eşref Yılmaz's Poetry

Abstract

Eşref Yılmaz, also known as Goderdzi Makharadze, is the president of the Association of the Georgian Culture Center in Istanbul and the author of numerous books. Among his published works are poetry collections including The Color of the Heart and The Pain of Poetic Eyes, in addition to the finest examples of Georgian poetry translated into Turkish.

The article addresses the collection of poems titled Tearful Poetry by Eşref Yılmaz, translated into Georgian. Renowned poet and literary scholar Omar Gvetadze completed the translation of these works. This publication was made possible through the support and financial aid of Akaki Tsereteli State University.

Unquestionably, we approached the poetic works of our compatriot with great curiosity. The translator has clearly committed himself to the task and has masterfully rendered Eşref Yılmaz’s truly remarkable artistic world into our language.

Entitled Poetry with Tears, this collection effectively captures the prevalent themes of sorrow and suffering. The poetic atmosphere, musicality, and thematic complexity of the original texts are excellently preserved in the translation, allowing readers to observe, envision, and appreciate the poet's creative potential.

Eşref Yılmaz's poetic works offer a wonderful blend of imagination and thought. The poet's worldview and determination gradually captivate our minds with vivid metaphors and musicality. His message and themes are more than a mere collection of dry statements. The poet's perspective, together with its artistic transformation, is distinctly unique within the context of Georgian poetic traditions. However, it is important to acknowledge that the translator has succeeded in preserving the poet’s original vision while accurately rendering the structural and aesthetic characteristics of Turkish poetry.

In this article, our aim has been to explore Eşref Yılmaz’s poetic world and, through selected passages, to highlight the importance of this volume and the translator’s accomplished technique.