Doğan Kitap novel award presented with ceremony

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

Sibel Türker (C) poses with Hürriyet Gazetecilik Chairwoman Vuslat Doğan Sabancı (R) and daily Hürriyet publishing consultant Doğan Hızlan. DHA photo

The fifth “Woman Still Doesn’t Have a Name” Novel Award, given by Doğan Kitap in memory of late writer Duygu Asena, was presented to Sibel K. Türker for her novel “Hayatı Sevme Hastalığı.” The award was presented to Türker by Hürriyet Gazetecilik Chairwoman Vuslat Doğan Sabancı at a ceremony.

Delivering an opening speech at the ceremony, which was held at the Hürriyet building, Doğan Kitap publishing director Deniz Yücebaşarır said, “Unfortunately, we can say that women still don’t have a name.” He added that they had made a small change in selecting a winner this year. “We used to select the book and the writer from among applications. This year we have decided to get suggestions from the jury members, and the award went to Türker.”

Türker said she was pleased to receive the award. “As a literary person, I can say that we, women, can only understand each other by listening to our stories and get our power from these stories. With her writings and life, Duygu Asena recommended women be aware of their power.”

Asena, Turkey’s leading feminist journalist-writer and founder of a number of popular women’s magazines, died in 2006 after fighting a brain tumor for two years. The award takes it name from Asena’s best-selling novel “Woman Has No Name.”