Arapgir Hasreti (Longing for Arapgir) is a work in the nature of a local history and memoir study focused on Arapgir, authored by Sücaattin Erdem. Published by Dergâh Yayınları as part of its "Anatolia Library" series, the book centers on the author's profound affection for the land where he was born and raised, his attachment to his hometown, and his desire not to lose the consciousness of local solidarity. The first edition of the work was published in July 2004; its 3rd edition was released in November 2021, and it totals 320 pages.

Content and Thematic Structure

The main content of the work “Arapgir Hasreti” is the literary expression of the author Sücaattin Erdem's longing for and attachment to his hometown, Arapgir. The book emphasizes that the most distinct characteristic of individuals from Arapgir is that they do not lose their love for the place where they were born and raised, and their sense of local solidarity. The author states that this love forms an "interweaving" that is knitted with elements such as geography, life journeys, loves, sorrows, and a sorrowful past.

The primary motivation for the work is the author's long-accumulated passion to write about Arapgir. The book conveys the cultural and social fabric of the region to the reader by including various nicknames, stories of famous individuals, and life stories that have become identified with Arapgir.

In the "Preface," the author expresses in a sincere tone that he is aware there may be points he has omitted or remembered incorrectly in the work, and he states his respect for the critiques of his fellow townspeople who know Arapgir better. Throughout the book, it is underlined that the author was only able to put into writing his personal experiences, what he had heard, and what he felt. Sücaattin Erdem states that with this work, he particularly aims to guide the "Arapgir Uşahları" (the youth of Arapgir) and to encourage them to discover the many unwritten values of their hometown. In this context, the work can be evaluated as a local history study, a memoir, and a text on the search for identity.

Language and Style

The language and style in Sücaattin Erdem's “Arapgir Hasreti” reflect the author's personal and sincere narrative manner. The book is written with simplicity and fluidity that a general readership can understand. While the author uses an emotional tone at times in conveying his memories and observations, he generally takes care to remain within an objective framework. The text does not contain any promotional or laudatory language; instead, the longing for Arapgir and the values of the region are presented to the reader with an academic sensibility and an informative and descriptive approach. The narrative is enriched with descriptions that draw the reader into the atmosphere of the work and with anecdotes about lived experiences.

The Author's Position and the Significance of the Work

With “Arapgir Hasreti”, Sücaattin Erdem has made a significant contribution to the cultural and social memory of his hometown, Arapgir. The work is important as one of the examples of local history studies and regional monographs in Turkish literature. The author's effort to understand a region's identity and its people by placing his personal experiences and observations within a general framework is a key feature of the work's contribution.