Research Information System
Other, pp.78, 2024
With a profound sense of sorrow, solidarity, and responsibility, we, the English Language and Literature Department of Karadeniz Technical University, in Trabzon, Türkiye, organized a poetry contest titled "All Children Are Innocent" to share the pain of the Gaza children, who were forced to write their names on their arms in case they lost their lives under the most brutal bombardments. This heart-wrenching act was so their loved ones could recognize them and inscribe their names on their graves. Born from the depths of indescribable pain in the wake of unspeakable atrocities and massacres inflicted upon innocent Palestinian people, this book stands as a testament to our shared humanity and firm solidarity with the innocent souls lost in Gaza. This collection of poems emerged from the heartfelt contributions of over seventy poets from fifty universities across our nation. Their words, mostly penned by university students, speak volumes where language often fails, offering fragile comfort to hearts shattered by unimaginable loss. The profound grief and empathy encapsulated in these verses reflect a collective conscience and effort to honour and remember the innocent lives stolen in Palestine. This book is not merely a collection of verses; it is a vow—an unyielding promise to never remain silent in the face of the massacre, to stand firmly beside the innocents, and to illuminate the shadows of apathy that darken our world. It also serves as a stark reminder of the hypocrisy of those who claim civility and democracy while deliberately turning a blind eye to the suffering of the Palestinian people. Silence is not an option; it is an unforgivable crime. Through the medium of poetry, we chose to echo the most brutal pages of history. As you turn these pages, may you hear the echoes of Gaza children's lost voices mingled with tears, fears, screams, and frozen eyes. May you feel the weight of their absence, and may you join us in bearing witness, remembering, and vowing never to forget. Our aim is to commemorate and ignite a global resonance—a call to action against indifference and a resolve to inscribe these poignant moments into the annals of history.