Prince Island Heroe's
This section gives various stories of every Prince Island's hero
Madam Martha
Madam Martha was an independent Armenian woman who lived alone on Burgazada, one of the Princes’ Islands near Istanbul. She became a notable figure on the island, recognised for her distinctive personality and her preference for a solitary lifestyle.
Following the loss of her husband and son, she chose to lead a life of simplicity and seclusion, residing in a modest hut located near the beach.
Madam Martha had a profound appreciation for nature, living in close connection with the rocks, the sea, and the island’s wildlife, and deliberately rejecting the conveniences of modern life.
Over time, her name became closely associated with "Martha’s Cove" (Martha Koyu), a tranquil bay where she spent much of her days.
Among the islanders, she came to symbolise strength, independence, and resilience.
Today, Madam Martha is regarded as an enduring local legend, and her story continues to be shared with visitors to Burgazada, reflecting the spirit of freedom she embodied.
Zahrad Yaldızcıyan (Zahrad)
Zahrad Yaldızcıyan, commonly known by his pen name Zahrad, was a prominent Armenian poet born in Istanbul, Turkey, in the year 1924. He is recognised as a key figure in modern Western Armenian literature.
His poetry is characterised by its clarity, brevity, philosophical undertones, and subtle irony.
Zahrad often focused on ordinary aspects of daily life, presenting them in a concise yet profound style.
Zahrad often drew inspiration from Kınalıada, one of the Princes' Islands near Istanbul.
The island’s sea, air, and calm atmosphere are themes that frequently appear in his poetry. The peaceful environment of Kınalıada played a significant role in nurturing Zahrad’s creativity, offering him both tranquillity and inspiration.
It is also known that Zahrad was a neighbour of the famous Turkish poet Can Yücel on Kınalıada. This proximity may have led to a rich literary and intellectual exchange between the two poets, further enriching Zahrad’s artistic world.
Zahrad's contribution is considered vital to modern Armenian poetry, particularly in maintaining a contemporary voice in Western Armenian.
He is noted for modernising traditional Armenian poetic forms and for introducing a minimalist aesthetic to Armenian literature.
Berç Yetvart (Horoz Reis)
Berç Yetvart Akdeniz, better known by his nickname Horoz Reis, was born in 1926 in a small wooden house in one of the Prince Islands, Büyükada. Son of the fisherman Artin, Berç grew up surrounded by the island’s sea, boats, and fishing culture.
The nickname "Horoz" (Rooster) traces back to a childhood memory: when Berç was just a small boy, he lost his beloved wooden toy rooster during a fishing trip with his father, grieving its loss for days. This story left a lasting impression on the islanders and became part of his legend.
Berç left school after the third grade and fully embraced the fisherman's life. While he worked seasonally fishing and maintaining boats, he became most famous for his role as Büyükada’s unofficial lifeguard.
In emergencies, when islanders urgently needed transport to hospitals on the mainland — regardless of storm, fog, or high winds — Horoz Reis would bravely steer his boat across the treacherous waters, never asking for anything in return.
His selflessness and courage saved countless lives, earning him deep respect, love, and gratitude from the community.
