Turkey hosts major international literature festivals in Izmir and Istanbul

Turkey has hosted several significant literary events, including the 10th Izmir International Literature Festival and the 17th International Istanbul Poetry and Literature Festival.

The Izmir festival, themed ‘Literature Heals’, ran for four days from September 24 to 27. Directed by poet Haydar Ergülen, the event featured honor guests Alberto Manguel and Zülfü Livaneli. Activities included discussions, documentaries, and theater performances across various venues such as the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center and Bergama Cultural Center. A documentary titled ‘Livaneli: The Story of a Person and a Country’, directed by Nebil Özgentürk, was a highlight of the program.

In Istanbul, as part of the Culture Route Festival, a panel was held at the Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Literature Museum Library in honor of Beşir Ayvazoğlu. The panel explored Ayvazoğlu’s contributions to literature, culture, and thought, specifically highlighting his research on Yahya Kemal. Speakers including Alim Kahraman and Ömer Erdem discussed Ayvazoğlu’s multifaceted identity as a researcher and cultural figure.