Istanbul prepares for 34th Book Fair

The theme for this year's Istanbul Book Fair will be 'Humor: Looking at Life with a Smile.' The fair will also commemorate Aziz Nesin in his 100th birthday Organized by TÜYAP Fairs in partnership with the Turkish Publishers Association, the 34th International Istanbul Book Fair will be held between Nov. 7 and 15 at the TÜYAP Fair and Convention Center.

At a recent press conference, TÜYAP Fairs General Coordinator Deniz Kavukçuo?lu said nearly 700 publishing houses would attend the fair, adding, "Last year, the number of visitors was 500,000. We hope this year we will reach the same number or maybe exceed it." 

Kavukçuo?lu also noted that students, teachers, writers and retired people would be able to visit the fair for free.

The theme for this year's fair will be "Humor: Looking at Life with a Smile."  The Fair prepares to host prominent foreign and Turkish writers around the theme.

The Book Fairs Advisory Board named illustrator Tan Oral the Illustrator of Honor of the 34th International Istanbul Book Fair. A number of panel discussions and other events will be held with Oral throughout the fair. TÜYAP will prepare a book and an exhibition on the life and selected works of Oral. Curated by Sad?k Karamustafa, the Tan Oral Exhibition will be available for viewing during the fair.

This year the Istanbul Book Fair will host Romania as the Guest of Honor. The Romanian booth will be available for visiting in the International Hall for the first four days of the fair and will include all aspects and colors of Romanian literature and culture. 

Guest of Honor events will include interviews, panel discussions, poetry and music recitals, professional meetings with publishers and children's events.