The world can be a frightening and overwhelming place. Pina, an orange cat-like character with large, soulful eyes, prefers to stay at home. In his little abode, Pina is surrounded by creature comforts and familiar objects. He can snuggle under a soft blanket and read a book, sit by the open fire with a cup … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Pina
https://www.ted.com/talks/ann_morgan_my_year_reading_a_book_from_every_country_in_the_world By Karen Van Drie, Editor of Turkish Literature Month for Global Literature in Libraries Like a lot of people who love to read, I was captivated by Ann Morgan's reading innovation of reading a book from every country in the world. What a cool idea! Short of visiting every nation in the world, how … Continue reading A Month of Turkish Literature via Global Literature in Libraries Initiative
By Burhan Sönmez Board Member, PEN International Mountain Language by Harold Pinter was first performed at the Royal National Theatre in London in 1988. It was a play written three years after Pinter’s visit to Turkey for observing the consequences of a military coup in the country. When he, with Arthur Miller, on behalf of … Continue reading Six Titles on the Kurdish Experience in Turkey
https://vimeo.com/37545910 I AM LISTENING TO ISTANBUL I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed: At first there is a gentle breeze And the leaves on the trees Softly sway; Out there, far away, The bells of water-carriers unceasingly ring; I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed. I am listening to Istanbul, … Continue reading ‘I Am Listening to Istanbul’ a poem by Orhan Veli
by Matthew Chovanec While working on edits for the translation of 'Gavur Mahallesi' by Mıgırdiç Margosyan, I received feedback for each of the four different languages used in the book of short stories. Over lunch, an Armenian staff writer at a New York magazine told me that it would be better to translate ‘Agavni’ as … Continue reading ‘Gavur Mahallesi’ by Migirdic Margosyan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fej8igH_3o I Living is no laughing matter: you must live with great seriousness like a squirrel, for example— I mean without looking for something beyond and above living, I mean living must be your whole occupation. Living is no laughing matter: you must take it seriously, so much so and to such a degree … Continue reading ‘On Living’ a poem by Nazim Hikmet
The first time I read Seray Şahiner’s work was almost ten years ago when her initial collection of short stories Gelin Başı (Bridal Hair) came out. I was immediately struck by her powerful and unfeigned writing. Never two-dimensional, her characters popped out of the pages full flesh, blood, tears and laughs. Already then, I had … Continue reading Why we need to translate Seray Şahiner
Many children daydream about being a detective or a spy sometime in their childhood. Sara Şahinkanat and Ayşe Inan Alican, with translation by Feyza Howell, have teamed up to create the perfect book to aid a 'Miss Marple in the making' or 'Hercule Poirot hunting up either a hero or a hırsız (thief).' The main … Continue reading Story Hunters on a Secret Mission: The Beyoğlu Adventure
When you think of Turkish cuisine, the odds are that visions of kebabs and sticky desserts come to mind. However, over the last few years, a breath of fresh air has swept through the nation’s kitchens where the same traditional ingredients are now being used in exciting new ways. Refika Birgül has been an early … Continue reading ‘Cooking New Istanbul Style’ by Refika Birgül
Orhan Pamuk’s latest novel has rightly been called a love letter to his home city of Istanbul, but this may mislead unfamiliar readers; for the pages convey neither swooning adoration nor healthy affection, but rather Pamuk’s compulsive fascination with this place. Through the eyes of his sensitive protagonist, he takes us on a street-level tour … Continue reading ‘A Strangeness in My Mind’ by Orhan Pamuk
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