Hababam Sınıfı author Rıfat Ilgaz remembered on 33rd anniversary of his death

Thirty-three years have passed since the death of Rıfat Ilgaz, a prominent figure in Turkish literature known for his work 'Hababam Sınıfı'. Ilgaz, who produced numerous works in poetry, novels, and humor, left a mark on Turkish literature with his social realist approach.

Scraper SystemJuly 06, 2026, 09:23 PM

Hababam Sınıfı author Rıfat Ilgaz remembered on 33rd anniversary of his death

The master writer of social realist literature, author of "Hababam Sınıfı" Rıfat Ilgaz, passed away in Istanbul on July 7, 1993. Despite the 33 years that have passed, Ilgaz, whose works continue to be read by wide audiences, left unforgettable works in poetry, novels, short stories, and humor.

A life dedicated to literature

Mehmet Rıfat Ilgaz was born on May 7, 1911, in the Cide district of Kastamonu. Starting his primary education in Cide, Ilgaz completed his secondary education in Kastamonu and graduated from Kastamonu Teacher Training School in 1930. He began working as a primary school teacher in Gerede in 1931; later he also taught in Akçakoca and Gümüşova.

His literary journey began with poems he wrote during his student years. His first poem, "Sevgilimin Mezarında", appeared in the Nazikler newspaper published in Kastamonu in 1927. Ilgaz studied at Gazi Education Institute between 1936 and 1938, and after graduation was appointed as a Turkish teacher in Adapazarı. However, after contracting tuberculosis, he came to Istanbul and received treatment at Yakacık Sanatorium. In 1939, he started working at Karagümrük Middle School and married teacher Rikkat Hanım the same year.

Social realist line and repression

In 1942, Ilgaz joined the staff of Yürüyüş magazine with poets İbrahim Abdülkadir Meriçboyu and Ömer Faruk Toprak. He worked at the magazine with names such as Orhan Kemal, Sait Faik Abasıyanık, and Nazım Hikmet. His first poetry book, "Yarenlik", was published in 1943. His book "Sınıf", which dealt with the lives of Anatolian people and the problems of workers, came out in 1944. Due to these works, which highlighted a social realist understanding, investigations were opened against him, his books were confiscated, and he was tried at various times.

Hababam Sınıfı'nın yazarı Rıfat Ilgaz, vefatının 33. yılında anılıyor gorsel 1

Sentenced to 6 months in prison after the confiscation of his book "Sınıf", Ilgaz had to leave his teaching post and his studies at Istanbul University's Philosophy Department due to the prison process and health problems. The writer, who underwent tuberculosis treatment for about 8 years, later carried his experiences from this period into his novel "Pijamalılar". His book "Devam", published in 1953, was also confiscated. Although he was sentenced to about 5.5 years in prison for his writings and poems, he served only part of his sentence due to his illness and being covered by amnesty.

The birth of Hababam Sınıfı

Ilgaz blended observations from his teaching years with traces from his son Aydın's school life to create "Hababam Sınıfı". The work was first serialized in "Dolmuş" magazine under the pen name "Stepne". Published as a book in 1959, "Hababam Sınıfı" quickly reached a wide readership. Adapted for theater in 1966, the work was brought to cinema in 1975 under the direction of Ertem Eğilmez. The film, starring Kemal Sunal, Münir Özkul, and Adile Naşit, became one of the unforgettable productions of Turkish cinema. In various interviews, Ilgaz stated that "Hababam Sınıfı" was not merely a comedy, but a satire criticizing rote learning, the culture of cheating, and the understanding of authority in the education system.

His final years and awards

Ilgaz, who received the Press Honor Card in 1970, retired in 1974 and settled in his hometown of Cide. After the September 12, 1980 coup, he was detained again. He won the Madaralı Novel Award and the Orhan Kemal Novel Award in 1982 for his novel "Yıldız Karayel". He was awarded the Ömer Faruk Toprak Poetry Prize in 1987 for his work "Ocak Katırı Alagöz". Rıfat Ilgaz, who passed away in Istanbul on July 7, 1993, was laid to rest at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.

Ilgaz, who left dozens of works in poetry, novels, short stories, theater, memoirs, and children's literature, continues to be read today with novels such as "Karartma Geceleri", "Bizim Koğuş", "Apartıman Çocukları" and poetry books like "Üsküdar'da Sabah Oldu" and "Soluk Soluğa".

Hababam Sınıfı author Rıfat Ilgaz remembered on 33rd anniversary of his death