Erzurum'un Kara Günleri (The Dark Days of Erzurum) is a work in the nature of a memoir and historical research, authored by Tellibeyzade Hacı Faruk Efendi from Erzurum, prepared for publication by Yunus Zeyrek, and published by Dergâh Publications. The book contains accounts that convey, through the words of the witnesses themselves, the days of disaster experienced by the Turkish nation in its recent history, particularly in Erzurum and its surroundings during the events known as the "Armenian Question." The work has the character of a historical document, as it was written firsthand at the time the events took place. The book, first published in 2014, consists of 110 pages.
Content and Thematic Structure
The main content of “Erzurum'un Kara Günleri” consists of the memoirs of Tellibeyzade Hacı Faruk Efendi and other eyewitnesses regarding the atrocities and oppression carried out by Armenian bands (çeteler) in the region. The book describes in detail the tragedies experienced during the periods of war and occupation, including the massacres, destruction, and migrations to which the civilian population was subjected. These accounts lay bare the grim realities of the period, such as burned villages, massacred people, and plundered property. The work holds a particular value for having been penned by those who personally experienced the events long before the issue was turned into an instrument of political propaganda. In this respect, it distinguishes itself from some texts produced for political purposes in later periods, offering a firsthand and original perspective.
The stories in the book, while conveying the oppression and resistance experienced by the Turkish people through personal experiences, also shed light on the socio-political atmosphere of the period. Beyond being merely a historical record, the work conveys the human drama and the suffering experienced by a nation. The book, which also indirectly describes the demographic structure, cultural fabric, and strategic importance of Erzurum and its surroundings, presents to the reader the deep traumas experienced by the populace and their traces in memory, going beyond the official history of the Armenian question.
Language and Style
The language and style of the work “Erzurum'un Kara Günleri” possess the sincere and plain narrative features of the memoir genre. As the texts are narrated through the words of eyewitnesses, a natural, heartfelt, and at times poignant language is used. The author avoids complex expressions, aiming to convey the direct impact of the suffering and tragedies to the reader. Although the style has the character of an objective historical record, it also contains personal observations and emotions. This quality gives the work both documentary value and human depth. By refraining from promotional and laudatory language, the stark reality of the events is brought to the forefront.
The Author's Position and the Significance of the Work
Tellibeyzade Hacı Faruk Efendi is a figure who personally witnessed the events of Erzurum's recent history and put these experiences into writing. Yunus Zeyrek's role in preparing the work for publication has ensured that these important testimonies reach contemporary readers. “Erzurum'un Kara Günleri” is a significant source for understanding the regional reflections of the Armenian question, one of the most painful events in the recent history of the Turkish nation. The work also provides important primary data for academic studies on this period. The book, as both a historical document and a testimony to a human drama, is presented as a significant legacy to be passed down to future generations.
