Abstract

Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar (1901-1962), a prominent poet and author of the Turkish Republic era, has vividly demonstrated both his rich cultural accumulation and his significant artistic depth through his poems, novels, stories, essays, and letters. Esteemed for his contribution to the history of Turkish literature and culture, Tanpınar has endeavored to reflect the flow between the past, present, and future in his works with a unique intellectual sensitivity, adopting a holistic approach to time. Attempting to address the crisis, cultural loss, and the conflict between material and spiritual values experienced by the Turkish society since the Tanzimat Reform Era, Tanpınar, inspired by Bergson’s concept of time, sought to heal these with a unified understanding of time. His work stands out for the character of an independent, unbiased, yet responsible intellectual. This study aims to elucidate how Tanpınar approached these discussed themes specifically in the context of the city of Bursa, drawing from the places and personalities mentioned in the section “Time in Bursa” of his work. Tanpınar narrates these locales and figures not merely as an accumulation of information but as part of the historical periods he attempts to convey, portraying them with a vividness as if living among them, which further reveals his unbroken emotional and sentimental connection to Bursa. The city occupies a significant place in Tanpınar’s perception of time. Furthermore, this analysis will also touch upon the elements of historical continuity centered around places and personalities in the poem “Time in Bursa,” sharing its title with the book section, thereby highlighting Tanpınar’s identity as a poet.