Işık Kitabevi announces 38th Book Fair with “Yokluk” theme

The 38th Işık Kitabevi Book Fair is scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 5 at Blckbrd Social Samanbahçe. This year’s fair is organized under the theme “Yokluk” (Absence/Scarcity), exploring topics ranging from production and politics to collective memory.

Founder Nahide Merlen announced that the event will host various researchers, artists, and writers, including guests from Turkey such as Gündüz Vassaf and Latife Tekin. The opening ceremony on August 26 will feature a music and cocktail event, a caricature exhibition, and the presentation of honorary awards to Kani Kanol and Costas Pele, as well as a Literature and Art Service Award to Ümit İnatçı.

A significant part of the program includes a panel dedicated to the late journalist Sevgül Uludağ. Organized by the Cyprus Turkish Journalists Association, the panel titled “Yokluk Hepimizin: Sevgül Uludağ’ın İzinde Kayıplar, Ortak Hikayeler ve Ortak Gelecek” will bring together individuals from both sides of Cyprus to discuss missing persons and shared histories.