Marquez commemorated at book fair

The Embassy of Colombia in Ankara will organize free literature events to introduce some of Colombia's famous authors and their best-known works at the 33rd edition of the Istanbul Book Fair, which will take place from Nov. 8 to Nov. 16. The embassy's bookstall, "Colombia: The Magical Realism," will be dedicated to the published works of Nobel-winning author, the late Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Additionally, a special videoconference will be held to discuss the life and works of Ma rquez. Jaime Abello Banfi, the co-founder of the Fundacion Nuevo Periodismo Iberoamericano (FNPI), an organization established in 1994 by Marquez, will give a speech on the famous author's life from the perspective of Colombian people. Turkish author Seçkin Selvi will then take the floor to deliver his presentation "From Turkish Literature to Gabriel Garcia Marquez." The two literary researchers will answer questions from participants who will get the chance to learn more about Marquez from two different cultural perspectives.

The free literature program will continue with the introduction of Colombian author Alvaro Mutis' posthumous book of poetry that translated into Turkish as "Denizcinin Şiirleri" (The Poems of A Sailor), and the session will be held both in Istanbul and Ankara. Another Colombian author and academic, Armando Romero, who is a close friend of Mutis, will discuss the author's works in greater depth, including stories and anecdotes about his private life. Turkish author Adnan Özer, who is famous for his interest in Latin American literature, will introduce Mutis' book during his presentation "Alvaro Mutis: A Poet, Wanderer and Rambler." The upcoming literature events will allow Turkish readers to learn more about the lives of Mutis and Garcia, and the Embassy of Colombia will also participate in the İzmir Book Fair, which will take place from April 18-26. Both fairs will be an opportunity to mark the first anniversary of Garcia's death.