Cevat Özkaya, co-founder of Pınar Yayınları, dies at 72

Cevat Özkaya, a prominent figure in Turkish publishing and a co-founder of Pınar Yayınları, has passed away at the age of 72. He had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer.

Özkaya held several significant roles in the intellectual and cultural sphere, serving as the editor-in-chief of Pınar Yayınları and the editor-in-chief of Umran magazine. He was also a co-founder of the Araştırma ve Kültür Vakfı (Research and Culture Foundation). Notably, he led the first Turkish publication of Edward Said’s influential work, ‘Orientalism’, in 1982.

His career began in teaching before he transitioned to publishing in 1976 as the managing editor for Pınar Yayınları in Cağaloğlu. Beyond publishing, he was involved in civil society and served as the president of Mazlum-Der. His funeral service is scheduled to be held at the Marmara University Faculty of Theology Mosque in Üsküdar, followed by burial at the Kartal Soğanlık Cemetery.