Istanbul hosts Turkey's largest book fair
ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency
The Tüyap Fair in Istanbul's Büyükçekmece neighborhood runs with the theme of '100 years of Turkish cinema.'
This year, the 33rd International Istanbul Book Fair witnesses over 850 publishers from all over the world, plus panels, seminars and workshops among a total of 270 activities.
As the fair commemorates the centennial of Turkish cinema, this year's honorary writer is author and movie critic Atilla Dorsay.
The state of Hungary is the honorary "guest" of the event which hosts prominent Hungarian writers such as Peter Esterhazy, Laszlo Darvas and Dora Csanyi.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Zoltan Balog, the minister of human resources of Hungary -- the fair's guest of honor -- said that the translation of books between Turkish and Hungarian and book fairs connect the two cultures. "Many of you might not have chance to go to Hungary but the Hungarian books that visitors buy will be an invitation to our country. They will see centuries-old friendship between Turkey and Hungary," he added.
The book fair also brings together 40 foreign writers and scriptwriters such as Polish author Janusz Glowacki, movie critic and history writer Philip Kemp and novelist Tess Gerritsen.
Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his works will be commemorated at an event organized by the Embassy of Colombia in Ankara on November 15.
Publications by The Anadolu Agency will also be on show.
From the 'Anadolu Agency Was There' series will be: "The Orphaned Nation: Syria"; "The Incomplete Revolution: Egypt" and; "War, Blockade, Resistance: Gaza."
The fair can be visited between 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. every day until November 16. As in previous years, the fair will be free for students and teachers, while the entrance for other visitors will be 5 Turkish Lira.