Üsküdar 8th Book Fair Opens

Üsküdar 8th Book Fair Opens The 8th Book Fair, which has Turkish historian, academic and author Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı as guest of honour, brings together 120 publishing houses, prominent figures from history, culture, art and science, and Turkey's 500 most popular authors with Istanbul residents between 29 April and 7 May. The fair, where hundreds of works from Turkey's leading publishing houses are presented to readers' appreciation, is hosting 840 symposiums and conversation events featuring dozens of authors and prominent names ranging from Cemil Meriç and Cengiz Aytmatov to Mim Kemal Öke, Beşir Ayvazoğlu, İskender Pala and Nabi Avcı. The opening of Üsküdar 8th Book Fair was attended by former ministers Nabi Avcı and Cevdet Yılmaz, Deputy Minister of National Education Osman Sezgin, authors İskender Pala, Beşir Ayvazoğlu, Prof. Dr. Uğur Derman, Çiçek Derman, and numerous residents of Üsküdar.

İlber Ortaylı: "Living in Üsküdar is a privilege"

Speaking about Üsküdar at the opening, İlber Ortaylı said that living in Üsküdar is a special distinction: "Üsküdar, as Yahya Kemal also said, is the first Ottoman Turkish soil. It is the cradle of Istanbul. It has maintained this characteristic. It has always preserved this quality. The sultan consorts understood this better. The Grand Valide, Banu Sultan, Haseki Sultan, Valide Sultan, Kösem Sultan, Mihrimah Sultan... Therefore, Istanbul is a peaceful district and, from the fifteenth century onwards, also a commercial district. The most typical buildings of all the eighteenth century are found here. The same applies to the dervish lodges. This means it has within itself the character of an art city, an isolated city, a beauty and a colour. Indeed, until the recent migrations, I believe it was the most beloved point of true Istanbul residents. That Master Cemil Meriç chose this place... And his daughter, our esteemed colleague. Ümit being born here. This explains the matter. In other words, Üsküdar was the homeland of people of sound mind. Living in Üsküdar is a privilege." İlber Ortaylı also stated that Üsküdar was likewise an art city throughout history: "There was also an incredible amount of art in Üsküdar. In the old days, especially when crossing to the other side by boat, then by motorboat, who would you meet? You travel for almost half an hour. Everyone becomes acquainted with everyone else or becomes an accidental listener. Many city theatre artists lived here. Many orchestra members lived here. The most important figures of our traditional Turkish music were from Üsküdar or its close surroundings, and the flourishing and existence of the Üsküdar Turkish Music Society, that is, one of the most important institutions of traditional Turkish music in our history, is not a coincidence even today—all important schools were here. Our President rightly spoke of the increase in the number of libraries. This is good stewardship. Because, as you know, in Istanbul, what we call a library does not exist even within a palace, not even in Topkapi. There are not just one but several such libraries in Üsküdar. Most of them have survived to this day. All of them are in use." Hilmi Türkmen: "Üsküdar has been a city of books throughout history" Speaking at the 8th Üsküdar Book Fair, Üsküdar Mayor Hilmi Türkmen said "Üsküdar's stones and soil are books": "Üsküdar is an old, great city with strong traditions. Every good idea, every good deed befits it well. Üsküdar has been a city for centuries where books are both widely read and widely written. The Üsküdar Book Fairs, which we are organizing for the eighth time this year, run with great energy for this reason and enable millions of book lovers in total to meet on the pages of books. Although we delayed its date this year due to the earthquake, believing in the power of the book and love of books as an antidote to disasters, we decided to organize our fair with bittersweet enthusiasm and great passion. This fair will be an appropriate venue for publishers, readers, writers and workers in the book world to create new forms of cooperation. I firmly believe in this. Üsküdar is now a city of libraries... New ones are coming to Nevmekan. Nevmekan Kandilli and Nevmekan Kuzguncuk will open soon." Hilmi Türkmen: "We are expecting all of Istanbul at the fair" "As every year, this year too we are expecting more than 100,000 book lovers, that is, you, at our fair. At the stands in Bağlarbaşı Congress and Cultural Centre, we will encounter surprise books and beloved authors again this year. Moments and memories such as getting a signed book from an author we love, encountering an old friend at a journal stand—these are the moments we will have. Our fair's guest of honour is Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, a major figure in Turkish historiography. İlber Ortaylı, who holds an important place in Turkish historiography through his books, wisdom, global perspective and comparative approaches, and who has made history beloved to a large readership across more than one generation, is participating in our opening. This year our fair has a richness worthy of our republic's 100th anniversary. Our fair, which reflects Turkey's greatness, diversity and the dynamism of our publishing world, features 120 publishing houses, 500 authors and 850 events. Üsküdar's heart will beat with books for nine days. Wherever we look, there will be books. As I say at every fair period, we experience great happiness in bringing together everyone from seven to seventy around books, those who believe in the power and virtue of reading. How fortunate that books exist." Nine Days of Countless Events The fair takes all Istanbul residents on a journey filled with culture and literature. On the fair's first day, Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı's conversation on "Üsküdar Through History" took place. Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun will also meet with book lovers at a special conversation on Saturday, 6 May. One of the most striking events of the fair will be the Photography Contest. Book lovers who capture the best photograph of the fair are waiting for very special prizes. The contest's 1st place winner will receive 25 books and breakfast for 2 at Nevmekan Selimiye, 2nd place will receive 100 books, a specially designed Üsküdar Library and dinner for 2 at Nevmekan Selimiye, and 3rd place will receive 50 books and dinner for 2 at Nevmekan Selimiye.