Akbaba 1945 Humor Magazine Turkish Turkey Germany Peace WW2 era Benito Mussolini
Akbaba Humor Magazine – “Peace: Thank Goodness, I’m Free!” – Issue No. 59 – May 1945 – Turkish Edition
Description:
Akbaba was one of the longest-running political humor magazines in Turkish press history, founded by Yusuf Ziya Ortaç and Orhan Seyfi Orhon, prominent figures associated with the Beş Hececiler literary movement. Published from 1922 to 1977, with interruptions, the magazine addressed social problems, bureaucratic shortcomings, political rivalries, economic difficulties, and everyday life through caricatures, satirical poetry, and humorous writing. It became an influential platform for Turkish satire, featuring contributions from important literary and artistic figures such as Aziz Nesin, Rıfat Ilgaz, and Turhan Selçuk.
This issue, number 59, was published in May 1945. Its striking cover, designed against a red background, depicts Peace as a winged skeletal figure holding an olive branch. The figure is breaking free from a chain around its foot, marked with a Nazi swastika. The accompanying caption reads, “Peace: Thank goodness, I’m free!” Through this powerful symbolic illustration, the magazine celebrates the prospect of liberation from Nazi domination and the approaching end of the Second World War.
The interior pages also include a political cartoon concerning the execution of Benito Mussolini, reflecting the dramatic collapse of Fascist Italy and the political upheavals in Europe during the closing stages of the war. Combining symbolic representations of peace, anti-Nazi satire, and commentary on major historical events, this issue offers an interesting glimpse into Turkish political cartooning in 1945.
Key Features:
• Publication: Akbaba
• Issue Number: 59
• Publication Date: May 1945
• Language: Turkish
• Publication Type: Political humor and satire magazine
• Founders: Yusuf Ziya Ortaç and Orhan Seyfi Orhon
• Cover Feature: “Peace: Thank Goodness, I’m Free!”, depicting a winged skeletal figure representing Peace, holding an olive branch and breaking free from a chain marked with a Nazi swastika
• Cover Design: Red background with symbolic imagery representing the liberation of peace from Nazi oppression
• Cover Caption: “Peace: Thank goodness, I’m free!”
• Interior Cartoon: A political caricature concerning the execution of Benito Mussolini
• Political and Historical Themes: The collapse of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, the liberation of Europe, and the end of the Second World War
• Historical Interest: Turkish political satire and commentary on the major events of 1945