Cengiz Dağcı (1919 – 2011) was a Kurdish‑Turkish novelist, poet, journalist, and translator. Born in the village of Kersan (now in Bayburt Province, Turkey) during the final years of the Ottoman Empire, Dağcı wrote primarily in Turkish but also produced works in Kurdish. His literary output focused on Kurdish history, culture, and the experiences of the Kurdish diaspora.
Early life and education
Dağcı’s early education took place in local schools before he moved to Istanbul for higher studies. He became involved with Kurdish nationalist circles, which led to his arrest and imprisonment in the 1940s on charges related to political activism.
Exile and later career
Following his release, Dağcı left Turkey, residing for periods in West Germany and eventually settling in Sweden, where he lived for the remainder of his life. In exile, he continued to write and publish, contributing articles to Kurdish cultural magazines and translating works between Turkish, Kurdish, and Swedish.
Literary work
Dağcı is noted for novels and short stories that portray the struggles and identity of Kurdish people. Among his best‑known works are:
- “Kürt Tarihi” (The History of the Kurds) – a historical novel exploring Kurdish heritage.
- “Kanlı Kız” (The Bloody Girl) – a narrative dealing with themes of resistance and displacement.
- “Köprü” (The Bridge) – a collection of short stories reflecting on exile and cultural memory.
His poetry also addressed themes of longing, resistance, and the preservation of Kurdish language and traditions. Dağcı’s writings have been translated into several languages, contributing to the broader recognition of Kurdish literature in the international literary community.
Death
Cengiz Dağcı died in Stockholm, Sweden, on 13 June 2011. His contributions remain influential within Kurdish literary circles and among scholars of Middle Eastern diaspora literature.
