works of prisoners displayed at the International Book Fair in Turkey

The ninth edition of the Martyr Herkol International Book Fair opened on October 20 in Azadi Park, Qamishlo. The fair features 51 publishing houses, magazines, centers, associations, and libraries from North and East Syria and other Syrian cities (Damascus, Daraa, Latakia, Aleppo), as well as from Lebanon, Belgium, Northern Kurdistan, and Turkey, showcasing 140,000 books in Kurdish (Kurmanji, Sorani, Kirmanjki), Arabic, Armenian, Syriac, English, and Turkish.

Some publishing houses were unable to participate due to political pressure in their respective countries. Representatives from several participating publishers also explained that many books were prevented from reaching the region.

Among the publishing houses affected was Aram Publishing House, whose books were partially blocked or confiscated.

Aram Publishing House, based in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan, was founded in Istanbul in 1998. It publishes works in both Turkish and Kurdish, and is particularly known for releasing books written by political prisoners in Turkish prisons.

One of the most striking sections at the fair is Aram Publishing House’s exhibit, particularly the platform dedicated to the works of prisoners of conscience in Turkish prisons.

This platform displays 2,700 books across 240 titles, most of which were written by prisoners of conscience in Kurdish. These works produced within prison walls and under harsh conditions span a wide range of genres including politics, life experiences, memoirs, poetry, literature, and other topics, attracting strong interest from readers.

Among the books written in Turkish and Kurdish are:

Xêr û Şerên Dûrî Çavan – Hussein Özsoy

Dengê Axînê – Mohammed Zinker Alp

Jana Berfê – Wîsî Esen

Sîmir – Ali Alp

Dildarê Serkeftinê – Mahmûd Aba

Bazên Şerefdînê – Adnan Sayak

Ji Dîrokeke Ahmedê Xanî – Lalsh Celker

Tarîderya – Mahmûd Yamalak

Dildarên Feraşînê – Ali Cabuk

Cangoriyên Mişarê – Rezgar Turhan

Meleğin Mısraları – Mahmûd Baran

Sıfıra Yükselmek – Zeki Bayhan

Köprüdeki Düşman – Murat Türk

Kırık Taşlar – Rojbîn Berîşan

Gözyaşımın Ağıdıydı Seni Beklemek – Rojbîn Berîşan

Beyaz Kurt – Zerrîn Yılmaz

Selahattîn Demîrtaş – Seher

Gidenlerin Ardından – İsmail Tozun

Kürkçülerden Pozantıya – Ömer Cakar

ANHA