Second Edition of "The Eagle of Kurdistan: Yado" Released

By Botan Times | April 9, 2025

The second edition of "The Eagle of Kurdistan: Yado," co-authored by Kamuran Ali Bedirkhan and Herbert Oertel, has been released by Avesta Publishing House. The novel, originally published in German in 1937, has been translated by Ilhami Yazgan.

This work chronicles the story of the Kurdish hero Yado, who has become a symbol of courage, bravery, and sacrifice in the history of Kurdish resistance. Through Yado's character, Bedirkhan and Oertel portray the Kurdish people's struggle for freedom.

About the Book

"The Eagle of Kurdistan" (originally titled "Der Adler von Kürdistan" in German) successfully depicts Kurdish people, their values, social relationships, cultural dynamics, and especially their desire for freedom. The authors have created a work of significant aesthetic and content value, establishing Yado as an important figure in Kurdish literature.

Translator Ilhami Yazgan notes: "With this work, we honor both the authors and Yado, who has been recreated in this novel."

About Kamuran Ali Bedirkhan

Kamuran Ali Bedirkhan (August 21, 1895, Istanbul - December 6, 1978, Paris) was a Kurdish lawyer, writer, and politician. He was the son of Emir Ali Bedirkhan and brother of Celadet Ali Bedirkhan. He completed his high school education at Galatasaray High School and later studied law at Istanbul University.

In 1918, he became one of the founders of the Society for the Advancement of Kurdistan (Kürdistan Teali Cemiyeti). After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, he and his brother Celadet Ali Bedirkhan attempted to establish unity among Kurdish tribes but were unsuccessful. In 1922, he went to Germany with his brother. Subsequently, he settled in Syria and began working as a lawyer in Beirut.

Between 1942 and 1946, he played a significant role in publishing "Roja Nû" (New Day) magazine, which was published in Kurdish and French in Beirut. After Syria gained independence in 1946, he lost his magazine position, and his political life in Syria came to a halt. As a result, he moved to Paris and began teaching at the Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in 1948.

Works by Kamuran Ali Bedirkhan

Kamuran Ali Bedirkhan authored numerous works:

"Dilê qurên min. Ji giyanê bavê min" - Kurdish poetry, 1923 Damascus
"Xwendina Kurdî," 1935, Damascus
"Der Adler von Kürdistan" (The Eagle of Kurdistan) - co-authored with Herbert Oertel, 1937, Berlin
"Memorandum on the Situation of Kurds," 1948 Paris
"Le Kurde Sans Peine" (textbook), 1953 Paris
"Langue kurde," 2 volumes, 1953 Paris

Sources: