Malatya Book Fair Opens with 300 Publishers and 300 Authors

The 12th Malatya Book and Culture Fair opened on Friday, October 23, at Mişmiş Park Fairgrounds. The event is organized by Malatya Metropolitan Municipality and Malatya Governorate.

Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak attended the opening ceremony at 11:00. Malatya Mayor Sami Er and Malatya Governor Seddar Yavuz also took part in the inauguration.

“If you discovered books early and gained the habit of reading early, it has now become an indispensable part of your life.”

Approximately 300 publishing houses and 300 authors will meet readers during the fair. The program includes 350 signing events and 75 conferences, interviews, and panels over ten days.

The fair will run until November 1. Free shuttle buses will operate from the city center to the fairgrounds throughout the event.

Honorary guest Beşir Ayvazoğlu spoke about the lasting place of reading in life. Governor Seddar Yavuz referenced the February 6 earthquakes as a major test in the history of the Republic.

The first day featured signing sessions by authors including Ayşegül Akgün, Mehmet Köseoğlu, Mine Sota, Müzeyyen Hülya Günay, Müjgan Bekdaş, Muhammet Şirin Aslan, Ahmet Ali Bektaş, Ünsal Ünlü, Menekşe Özkaya Tutum, Filiz Özmerd, Sevim Levent, M. Fatih Kahraman, Demet Aşıcı Evrensel, and Fatih Yahşi.

Free transportation will continue daily from the old municipality area opposite the Çilesiz bus stop, with additional ring services from Hazar Kız Student Dormitory for visitors arriving from the east.