Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayors Serra Bucak and Doğan Hatun attended the opening of the 8th Book Fair. Co-Mayor Bucak stated that it is possible to establish the present and move towards a bright future with the power of uncensored information.
Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayors Serra Bucak and Doğan Hatun attended the opening of the 8th Diyarbakır Book Fair, which was organized at the Mesopotamia Congress Center in cooperation with TÜYAP and the Turkish Publishers Association and will last until December 8.
In addition to the Co-Mayors, Silvan Municipality Co-Mayor Sevim Biçici, Kayapınar Municipality Co-Mayor Berivan Gülşen Sincar, Çınar Municipality Co-Mayor Semra Akyüz, municipal council members, Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DTSO) President Mehmet Kaya, Turkish Publishers Association President and many civil society organization representatives attended the fair.
Co-President Bucak: We want to establish a fair order
Speaking at the fair opening, Co-President Bucak stated that the need for normalization is one of the most important issues in the country. Bucak said, “If book fairs are being disrupted today, if economic development initiatives and social life are being disrupted, it means that there is a process that deeply affects society. We want to establish a democratic, fair, free and equal order in all our cities and throughout our geography. We have seen and experienced very well how our cities are subjected to pressure during processes where polarization politics are intense.”
'We need an environment where ideas are not censored'
Co-President Bucak, who drew attention to the need for books, what is written in them and the free dissemination of what is written, continued his words as follows: “There is a need for an atmosphere where there is no censorship and ideas are not censored. Books are not only the carriers of information but also areas where societies can be brought together and social enlightenment can be achieved. As local governments, we are aware of this responsibility. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we will be conscious of organizing better fairs and bringing book lovers here from now on.”
'We continue the feasibility study for libraries'
Expressing that they want to organize fairs that embrace and envelop the city more as Co-Chairs and all components of the city, Bucak said, “Unfortunately, due to the economic crisis in recent years, both publishing houses and readers have been experiencing a serious crisis. For this reason, access to cultural activities is economically hindered. Since we were elected 8 months ago, we have been conducting a feasibility study on the remaining libraries and where young people need libraries.”
'It is possible to make progress towards a bright future'
Bucak congratulated the Kurdish publishing houses and publishers in this field who were present at the fair for their determination despite all the impossibilities and thanked everyone who contributed to the realization of the fair. Bucak concluded his speech with the words, “With the power of uncensored information, it is possible to establish today and advance towards a bright future.”
Book Fair opened
Following the speeches, the Co-Chairs and all the guests in the opening protocol cut the ribbon and opened the fair.
Co-Chairs visited the stands
The opening of the fair, which hosted 216 publications including the Metropolitan Municipality stand, attracted great interest from book lovers. The Co-Chairs who visited the stands at the fair also attracted great interest. The Co-Chairs chatted with publishers and book lovers and exchanged information about the fair.
Deputy Secretary General Zerin Türk accompanied the Co-Chairs during the Book Fair opening and stand visit.
