International book fair kicks off in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

The 37th International Istanbul Book Fair kicked off on Nov. 10. 

Organized by TÜYAP Fairs in partnership with the Turkish Publishers’ Association, the fair opened with the theme “Surrounding Life with Literature.” 

Around 800 national and international publishers and non-governmental organizations participated in the fair, which includes 300 programs of panels, interviews, and poetry and children’s workshops during the nine-day-long exhibitions. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said the International Istanbul Book Fair is one of the world’s leading fairs. 

Yerlikaya said work has been initiated to increase the number of participants of the fair to 1.5 million, adding that this could be achieved with the cooperation of municipalities, NGOs and the Istanbul Governor’s Office. 

TÜYAP Culture Fairs General Coordinator Deniz Kavukçuoğlu said 742,000 people were registered as participants in last year’s fair. 

The Writer of Honor of this year’s fair, Selim Ileri, and Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Ahmet Haluk Dursun also attended the ceremony. 

At this year’s fair, the Turkey Publishers Association organized an event for the first time where 35 publishers and 64 illustrators will meet. 

Different events will be organized in the fair, with most of them being held for young people. 

The book fair will continue through Nov. 18 at the TÜYAP Fair Congress and Convention Center in Istanbul’s Büyükçekmece district.