The book fair of TÜYAP (Turkey Publishers Union) in Diyarbakýr has opened yesterday. The fair was given the name “Travel into the Ancient Geography of Writing” and will last until 23 May. TÜYAP General Director Ýlhan Ersözlü expressed his excitement at the press conference held for the fair and invited all Diyarbakýr citizens to the fair.

At the conference many guests wanted to talk about the important event. Among them Turkey Publishers Union Chairman Metin Celal Zeynioðlu, author Þehmuz Diken, fair organizer Cemran Öder, Cultures Fairs Group Chairman Sunay Girgin, DÝSÝAD (Diyarbakýr Business Men Association) Chairman Raif Türk, GÜNÝSAD Chairman Þah Ýsmail Bedirxanoðlu.

Ersözlü underlined the importance of the fair, pointing out that it was their first book fair in Diyarbakýr. He also said that the most important publishing firms and authors will attend the fair and expressed that compared with the ones in Ýstanbul, Ýzmir and Bursa, Diyarbakýr fair is the most exciting one. He spoke “We are expecting a considerable interest and visit from Diyarbakýr citizens.” and invited people to the fair.

Turkey Publishers Union Chairman Metin Celal Zeynioðlu stated that Diyarbakýr has always been an important center of writing and publishing firms and underlined the importance of this organization in the city.

Diyarbakýr in recent years have certainly become an important center in the literary scene of the whole country of Turkey. In the city, where great author Mehmed Uzun was born, only ten days ago Kurdish writers came together to launch an interesting initiative called "Literature in search of its history".

Thanks to the commitment of the mayors, both of the Greater city and the municipalities, who have put great attention on the promotion of the literary and cultural scene of the city, this week will see many events, debates, meetings.

Translator: Berna Ozgencil