Throughout the past decade, there were continuous efforts to promote exchange and trade between Turkey and the GCC Countries in various industries. The 21st Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), which will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from the 15th to 20 March 2011, will be another station for Turkey this year to present its rich heritage and culture to the Arab World.
Unlike many other book fairs held around the world, whilst also being open to the public, this exhibition will entertains industry professionals, business travelers and residents with its vibrant program of professional and cultural activities. Turkey will participate this year through an open exhibition inviting the Arab visitors to experience the whole spectrum of Turkish literature and to learn about the country’s cultural heritage from both a historic and contemporary perspective.
Turkey will attend the 21st Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) with 20 delegates, consisting of authors, publishers, translators and copyright agencies. Furthermore, a session will be held at 16:30 on 16 March 2011 under the chairmanship of Prof. Onur Bilge Kula (Director General of the libraries, Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism) in which Ümit Yaşar Gözüm (Deputy Director General), Ali Ural (author), Nazlı Berivan Ak (publisher), Şaban Kurt (publisher) and Nermin Mollaoğlu (Copyright Agency) will take part as panelists.
“Turkey has attended the 2010 International Doha Book Fair as the guest of honor and was privileged with the same status two years ago in Frankfurt Book Fair 2008 in Germany. ADIBF 2011 will offer a spectacular opportunity for Turkey to discuss developments in foreign rights, the publishing industry and the translation sector in Turkeyâ€, said Mr. Ãœmit YaÅŸar Gözüm, TEDA project coordinator and one of the main speakers within the professional programme at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2011.
TEDA, which is essentially a translation and publication subvention project, was vitalized in 2005 for the wider dissemination of Turkish culture through the translation or publication of Turkish cultural, artistic and literary work outside of Turkey. Within the framework of TEDA aiming to share Turkish cultural, artistic and literary spirit with the readers outside of Turkey in their languages; the ministry provides subventions to international institutions, enterprises, companies, foundations and publishing firms which will publish such books. Since the beginning of the project; the publishers from 50 different countries have been given support for the translation and publication of 811 works in 40 language and 546 of which have been published so far. 67 works were supported in Arabic language and so far 33 of those were published.
Turkish literature roots deep in the Ottoman history and culture; it reaches back almost 1,500 years and is closely linked to the Persian and Arabic culture. The innovative Orhan Pamuk, winner of the Nobel Prize of Literature in 2006, is one of the most famous Turkish authors today. Present day Turkey is represented by voices like Asli Erdogan, Elif Safak and Sebnem Isigüzel.
There are 1724 publishing companies and 6000 bookshops and 50 wholesalers and distributors in Turkey. Every year, the Book Fair is held once in Adana, Antalya, Ankara, Bursa, Konya, Diyarbakir, and Izmir. Twice a year is held in Istanbul, which is considered the biggest and most important book fair in Turkey.
