Altay Suroy

Altay Suroy was born in Prizren, Kosovo. He completed his primary and high school education in Turkish in his hometown. Later, he pursued higher education at the Faculty of Law in Pristina.İsen, Mustafa, R. İsen, A. E. Kireççi (2008). Balkanlar'da Türk Çocuk Şiiri. İstanbul: Varlık Yay. 162.
Suroy began his professional career as a journalist with the Tan newspaper in Pristina in 1969 while still a student. He gained recognition for his travel articles detailing his domestic and international journeys.
After some time, Suroy returned to Prizren and took on a role as a legal professional in a state company, a position he held from 1972 to 1977.https://teis.yesevi.edu.tr/madde-detay/altay-suroy Later, he served as a judge at the Municipal Court of Prizren from 1977 to 1990. Suroy then taught Constitutional Law and Law Fundamentals in Turkish classes at economics and law high schools in Prizren. Between 1990 and 2000, he practiced as an independent lawyer, followed by a stint as a prosecutor from 2000 to 2006.
Beyond his legal pursuits, Suroy has been a staunch advocate for the rights of the Turkish community in Kosovo. He wrote articles and made public statements, fighting for equal rights for the Turkish people living in Kosovo.Kaya, Fahri (1992). Yugoslavya'da Çağdaş Türk Şiiri Antolojisi. İstanbul. 216.
He contributed articles covering political, social, cultural, and literary themes in both Turkish and Serbian languages.
In public service, Suroy held the position of Kosovo's Deputy Minister of Justice from 2006 to 2009. He played a pivotal role as a constitutional law expert in drafting the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. In 2009, he was elected as a founding member of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo and served in this capacity until his retirement in July 2018.
As a prominent figure advocating for the Turkish identity in Kosovo, Suroy played a foundational role in the establishment of political parties and civil organizations aimed at better organizing the Turkish community in the region. He took on leadership roles in various associations and was pivotal in setting up Turkish cultural and arts organizations in Prizren.
Throughout his career, Suroy received numerous awards in recognition of his contributions in the legal field as well as his literary endeavors. Some of his accolades include the Balkans Service to Turkish Culture award, the Turkish Writers Association award, and the International Turkish Language Service award. He was also bestowed an honorary doctorate by Baku Asian University.
==Literary works==
Suroy's literary journey began with his poems being published in newspapers like Birlik and magazines such as Sesler.Yusuf, Süreyya (1976). Yugoslavya Türk Şiiri. Priştine. 191. His first poetry book, "Yaya 73", encapsulates his experiences during his military service days. He continued to contribute to various magazines and journals, sharing his works and perspectives. Suroy has also been a part of numerous poetry events in Turkey and has contributed research papers in conferences and symposiums.
Category:1949 births
Category:People from Prizren
Category:University of Pristina alumni
Category:Lawyers
Category:Writers
Category:Poets