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Turkish novelist Ahmet Umit, whose books have been published in nearly 150 editions across 35 languages, brought together 20 translators and nine publishers in Istanbul for a three-day event highlighting the role of literature in connecting cultures and introducing Türkiye to international readers.
Organized by Yapi Kredi Culture, Arts and Publishing in cooperation with Kalem Agency, the event, titled "From Istanbul to the World: Ahmet Umit's Journey Through Words," featured a panel at the Yapi Kredi Culture and Arts building.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) before the panel, Umit expressed his gratitude to the translators and publishers who have helped bring his works to readers abroad, describing their contributions as essential to his international literary career.
He explained that the gathering would provide an opportunity to discuss challenges facing translation and publishing while introducing international guests to Turkish culture through visits to Beyoglu, one of Istanbul's historic cultural districts.
Umit also emphasized that literature could strengthen cultural ties by helping foreign readers develop emotional connections with Türkiye and gain a deeper understanding of its history.
"One of humanity's ancient habits that it can never give up is telling and listening to stories," Umit said, adding that he owed a great debt of gratitude to those who translated and published his books.
During the opening session, Yapi Kredi Culture, Arts and Publishing General Manager Tulay Gungen described the gathering as an unusual expression of appreciation in the publishing industry, emphasizing the importance of translators in bringing different literary traditions together.
The first panel, "Bringing Ahmet Umit into Other Languages," moderated by Nermin Mollaoglu, brought together translators who shared their experiences working with Turkish literature.
Hungarian translator Edit Tasnadi discussed her longstanding interest in literature and the challenges of recreating an author's work in another language.
Italian translator Nicola Verderame, who studied Turkish language and culture in Naples, recalled how reading poetry by Nazim Hikmet first sparked his interest in Turkish. He also reflected on translating Umit's crime fiction, beginning with "Askimiz Eski Bir Roman" (Our Love Is an Old Novel).
Russian translator Andrey Ryzhenkov, who wrote his thesis on Umit in 2014, discussed how Turkish literature reaches Russian audiences, while Bosnian translator Alena Catovic highlighted the novelist's popularity in the Balkans.
Catovic noted that Umit was among the first names associated with Turkish crime fiction in the region, where his books continued to attract considerable interest at literary festivals.
Beyond translation, the three-day program explored the international publishing industry, Istanbul's literary identity and the boundaries of crime fiction.
Sessions included "Ahmet Umit Through the Publisher's Eyes," "Istanbul, History and Memory," and "Beyond the Boundaries of Crime Fiction," bringing together translators and publishers from different countries.
Umit also highlighted the broader cultural significance of making Turkish literature available internationally, arguing that art could serve as an effective form of diplomacy by helping readers establish lasting connections with Türkiye.
He thanked the professionals who had introduced his work to audiences ranging from Mongolia to Greece, describing their efforts as both a contribution to his literary career and an opportunity to showcase Turkish culture abroad.
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