NUR-SULTAN. KAZINFORM – Nurfer Tercan, a scholar from Türkiye, has published the book “Message of the Wind. Al-Farabi” with the support of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty. She is currently working towards a PhD degree at the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of the Kazakh National University. In an interview with a correspondent of Kazinform International News Agency, Nurfer Tercan spoke about the distinctive features of the new book and the main aim of her research.
– How and when did you decide to write a book devoted to al-Farabi?
– I can say that the idea arose by chance. I did not think I would ever write a book about Abu Nasr al-Farabi, because the subject is a complex one. After all, it is not simply a biography but a field of great philosophy. In August last year I met Mehmet Arslan, Vice-Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and in our conversation we touched on the subject of al-Farabi. I was looking for certain documents concerning the philosopher – not for scholarly work, but for myself, for my own development. We got talking about al-Farabi, his philosophy and science, and also about the “Treatise on the Views of the Inhabitants of the Virtuous City”. Already last year Professor Mehmet Arslan was saying that 2020 would mark the 1150th anniversary of the great scholar’s birth. He suggested writing a book for the university. I agreed, but I will say straight away: it was not easy to write. The book was published at the university. That is its story. I have completed the first year of the PhD programme at KazNU. I have been reading al-Farabi’s works for many years. Above all, I wanted to get to know him for my own self-development. I studied myself, worked on myself, and did not think that some day in the future I would manage to write a book. However, I would like to note that this is only the beginning.
– Which strand in al-Farabi’s works impressed you most?
– His works span many fields: science, politics, music, languages, rhetoric. But the main thing that impressed me is the theme of happiness. I think every person asks themselves about happiness. You probably ask yourself too: what is it? Imagine a person drinking a delicious coffee, eating chocolate… Yes, one can say that this is happiness, but it lasts only five minutes. And after five minutes our mood may change. And that is already “non-happiness”. Al-Farabi, however, managed to define the meaning of this word in different senses. Happiness is being a virtuous person. Happiness is not simply laughing or smiling, drinking coffee or eating; it is the hormones that are produced in a person. The most important key to life lies in how to be a virtuous person. The motto of my book is “Message of the Wind”. My book does not recount al-Farabi’s biography. Yes, of course, a great deal of information can be found in the book about the scholar’s life, his journey into the philosophical life. I try to learn from al-Farabi. This book simply gives recommendations to the person reading it. When I read, I understand in my own way. If you read it, you too will probably understand it in your own way and find your own key to self-knowledge.
– What is distinctive about your book?
– Most books about al-Farabi are written in academic, scholarly language. When you read about philosophy or philosophers, you have to keep a dictionary at hand. But in my book I tried to explain that it is not only scholars who can read books about al-Farabi. Of course, everyone should read and know about a scholar such as al-Farabi, all the more so in the anniversary year. But not everyone manages to grasp the depth of scholarly language, which is why literature in simple and accessible language is needed. I did not complicate things; I did not write the book in academic language. Everyone can understand the essence by reading this book. The teaching staff of the university (KazNU) approved the book. It is intended for everyone – university students and schoolchildren alike, as well as those who are looking for the answer to the question: “what is real happiness”?
– In researching al-Farabi’s life, in which language are the materials you work with, and are there any difficulties in finding archival data?
– Initially, of course, I wrote my book in Turkish. Professional translators translated the book into Russian and English. In the future, I think, the book will be translated into Kazakh as well. That depends, first and foremost, on the needs of the audience. In general, when I do research, I look for materials wherever they are available and in different languages. We live in a high-tech world. There are various translation programs. For example, when I was looking for documents about al-Farabi in Arabic or Persian, I used special programs to translate them into Turkish or English. Of course, the quality of the translation may differ somewhat, but it gives me new ideas. Translating materials is not difficult nowadays. If you really need the information, then I think there will be no problems either.
– How well do people in Türkiye know who Abu Nasr al-Farabi is?
– Indeed, as in many other countries, his name is known only among scholars, within the walls of universities, while he is little known to ordinary people. There is one more subject that interests me – al-Farabi’s theoretical concepts of music. Anyone can read about the philosophy of music, because everyone loves music. Yet practically no one, including the citizens of Türkiye, knows that it was al-Farabi who was the first person to study music. Al-Farabi even created a musical instrument (zither). It is precisely this instrument that is the fundamental Turkish national instrument. Many scholars and musicians do not even know that the “zither” was studied by al-Farabi. The philosopher also studied Middle Eastern and Turkish music. He researched professional music. And such facts are little known to the wider public. This is my first book, but not my first experience. Over five years I have written numerous articles for various scholarly journals. It is worth noting that much of the meaning lies in how, for example, the young generation will understand al-Farabi’s philosophy in 2050. This is an important element. I believe that the book “Message of the Wind” will answer this question.
– You said that you are studying on the PhD programme at the Kazakh National University in Almaty. How do you assess our country’s education system?
– On the whole, I will not compare the Kazakhstani education system with the Turkish one, since geography and people’s way of life differ. A country educates its citizens in step with its development and in accordance with its geographical position. Nevertheless, the education systems of the two states are developing positively. I see that many citizens in Kazakhstan are interested in science and literature. The Kazakh people are a literary people. They sincerely love reading books, take an interest in philosophy, and everyone knows the works of Abai. Kazakhstanis are patriots of their country. I have noticed that many citizens visit the National Academic Library, not only students and scholars.
– Thank you for the interview!
Translated from the Russian original.