Sezai Karakoç

• Name — Sezai Karakoç • Birth Name — Ahmet Sezai Karakoç • Born — 22 January 1933 • Birthplace — Ergani, Diyarbakır, Turkey • Died — 16 November 2021 • Place of death — Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey • Occupation — Poet, writer, thinker, community leader • Notable Works — Monna Rosa (poem)

Karakoç graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at Ankara University and worked in the finance sector for many years. He was one of the pioneers of Turkish literature who aimed at bridging traditional Islamic beliefs and modern poetic techniques. He sees three essential elements for a poet. These three elements he calls Peer Gynt’s triangle, according to Karakoç, exists in Henrik Ibsen’s play, Peer Gynt. These three elements are: Poet must be himself. To be himself a poet must transform. Second element: a poet must be self content. Poet must love his art while being transformed by it. Thirdly, to be self-content, one must feel joy. This joy comes not from living but from letting live. Karakoç was among the contributors of the literary magazine Papirüs which was edited by Cemal Süreya.

Sezai Karakoç is recorded as having received Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Awards.