Mirtemir

Mirtemir Tursunov (Uzbek: Mirtemir Tursunov, Миртемир Турсунов; Russian: Миртемир Турсунов), (May 30, 1910 - January 25, 1978) most commonly known simply as Mirtemir, was an Uzbek poet and literary translator. Mirtemir became a National Poet of the Uzbek SSR in 1971.^[1] In addition to writing his own poetry, Mirtemir translated the works of many famous foreign poets, such as Aleksandr Pushkin, Nikolay Nekrasov, Magtymguly Pyragy, Abai Qunanbaiuli, and Shota Rustaveli into the Uzbek language.^[2]

Life and Work

Mirtemir Umarbekovich Tursunov was born on May 30, 1910, in the village of Ikan, Turkestan (now in Kazakhstan). In 1932, Mirtemir graduated from the Pedagogical University of Samarkand with a degree in literature.

Mirtemir's first collection of poems, Shuʼlalar qoʻynida (Under the Lights) was published in 1928. His other collections of poetry include Zafar (Victory) (1929), Qaynashlarim (My Rages) and Bong (The Clamor) (1932). Mirtemir translated the works of many famous foreign poets in Uzbek, such as Who is Happy in Russia? of Nikolay Nekrasov and The Man in the Panther's Skin of Shota Rustaveli. He also translated the Kyrgyz epic poem Manas into Uzbek.

Mirtemir died in Tashkent on 25 January, 1978, at the age of 67.

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