Europe's largest Turkish book fair begins in Germany
The 17th Astec Turkish Book and Culture Fair opened in Rheinberg, Germany on Tuesday. The 13-day event will showcase a wide range of world classics, novels, children's books and the Quran.
A total of 63 publication houses from Turkey and Europe are participating in the fair, where panel sessions, literary talks, poetry readings and workshops on wood cutting, painting and marbling will also take place.
Ahmet Turunç, the founder of the fair and owner of a publishing house, books for the fair were brought to Germany in three trucks. "The aim is to bring Turkish books to the Turks living in European countries," he said.
Turunç claimed that the fair was visited by some 110,000 people last year and expected even greater numbers this year.
"The visitors can leave their children at the fair's own children's playing area while they tour the fair or grab a bite at stalls that offer Turkish and Ottoman cuisines. We invite bookworms to the biggest Turkish book fair in Europe," said Turunç.
One of the participants at the fair, author Bahattin Ömürcan, talking about his latest book "Niye Geldim Almanya'ya?" (Why did I come to Germany?), said, "the book recounts true and interesting events that took place in Germany."
The Turkish author criticized a lack of reading habit in the society and claimed that this was the result of an increasing number of people watching TV and their demanding work schedules.
The fair, which will host various cultural events as well as book signing sessions, will continue until Jan. 8.
A total of 63 publication houses from Turkey and Europe are participating in the fair, where panel sessions, literary talks, poetry readings and workshops on wood cutting, painting and marbling will also take place.
Ahmet Turunç, the founder of the fair and owner of a publishing house, books for the fair were brought to Germany in three trucks. "The aim is to bring Turkish books to the Turks living in European countries," he said.
Turunç claimed that the fair was visited by some 110,000 people last year and expected even greater numbers this year.
"The visitors can leave their children at the fair's own children's playing area while they tour the fair or grab a bite at stalls that offer Turkish and Ottoman cuisines. We invite bookworms to the biggest Turkish book fair in Europe," said Turunç.
One of the participants at the fair, author Bahattin Ömürcan, talking about his latest book "Niye Geldim Almanya'ya?" (Why did I come to Germany?), said, "the book recounts true and interesting events that took place in Germany."
The Turkish author criticized a lack of reading habit in the society and claimed that this was the result of an increasing number of people watching TV and their demanding work schedules.
The fair, which will host various cultural events as well as book signing sessions, will continue until Jan. 8.