With the outbreak of the 93 War, life in Plovdiv and its environs undergoes a profound transformation. This difficult period leads Kenan Rifâî to decide to migrate to Istanbul with his family. For the young Kenan, this migration is not only a change of location, but also a new beginning in his spiritual journey.

During a visit to Plovdiv, Kenan Rifâî gets off at the first stop of the train and kisses the earth when he returns to his homeland. This memory is a clear expression of his deep love for his homeland and his devotion to his roots. The influence of Namik Kemal, the patriotic poet raised in Thrace, is visible on Kenan from his young age. This love and devotion leaves deep traces on his soul.

Hatice Cenan Hanım’s divine love has always been a guide in young Kenan’s spiritual journey. In Kenan Rifai’s poems, the concept of homeland can be read as multi-layered in a way that expresses both the departure from Rumelia and the coming to the world by breaking away from the divine unity, the realm of souls:

“I broke away from the homeland of souls and came with hisran
I came with Suzi derûn hem nâle vü efgan
They banned me from love âh, love burned me,
Hasretkeş-i cân, firkat ü nâlãn I came with.”