The İzmir Book Fair, a preeminent literature event, celebrates its 20th year with one of its biggest editions. Over 400 publishers and cultural institutions will convene at the İzmir International Fair Area situated in Kültürpark from Saturday to April 26.

Held in collaboration with the Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organization and the Turkish Publishers Association, the fair will include a side program of talks, panel discussions and children's activities. The book fair will host publishing houses, children's book publishers, nongovernment organizations, academic institutions, associations, unions, newspaper and magazine groups and many others. There will be more than 150 cultural events taking place during the nine-day fair. Bookworms will enjoy the chance to meet face-to-face with their favorite authors and journalists.

A number of authors, poets and social science experts will attend the fair. Among the guest authors are Ayşe Kulin, Haydar Ergülen, Can Dündar, Canan Tan, Ali Kırca, Hakan Günday, Ataol Behramoğlu and Yüksel Pazarkaya.

This year's guest of honor will be poet Süreyya Berfe. His first poem was published in a journal in 1962. Berfe's poems have been translated into 18 languages and his works appeared in local and international newspapers and magazines. Berfe will participate in a number of panel sessions at the fair venue.

The İzmir Book Fair will exhibit a caricature collection depicting renowned author and humorist Aziz Nesin, who wrote more than 100 books. Marking his 100th birthday, the exhibition was curated by Cihan Demirci. The exhibition will feature 50 caricatures. On Sunday, a special panel session will be held with Danish authors under the title "The Language of Writing from the North to the South: An İzmir Meeting with Danish Authors," according to the fair's official program. Entry will be free.