Legendary Turkish journalist Birand commemorated

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

Birand’s friends, family members and colleagues, as well as political figures, gathered at his grave in Istanbul’s Anadolu Hisarı neighborhood. DHA Photo

The legendary Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand has been commemorated in Istanbul on the first anniversary of his death.

Birand’s friends, family members and colleagues, as well as political figures, gathered at his grave in Istanbul’s Anadolu Hisarı neighborhood to pay tribute to the late journalist on Jan. 17.

“I did not think that Birand would be forgotten in a year, but the messages that we received and the commemoration ceremonies held over the last few days have made our family really happy,” said the late Birand’s wife, Cemre Birand. “I know he will never be forgotten. I think a journalist like him will never again emerge in Turkey.”

Mustafa Sarıgül, the mayor of the Istanbul district of Şişli and the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) Istanbul mayoral candidate, and daily Hürriyet columnist Taha Akyol, were among those who attended the ceremony.

The internationally-renowned Birand worked as a Hürriyet Daily News columnist and was the chief news editor of private channel Kanal D at the end of his life. He passed away last year after a period in intensive care following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy conducted in order to replace a stent.