The Love of Turkish Literature
The annual Frankfurt Book Fair opened this year featuring the Turkish, and Nobel Prize winning author, Orhan Pamuk. Pamuk spoke about his sorrow regarding the strict policies regarding Turkish literature in his homeland, and how he yearned to be able to publish his work there. Pamuk contends that Turkey continues to ban books and that published books are strictly regulated. Pamuk was charged criminally earlier this year due to the fact that he made unflattering statements about Turkey’s role in the Armenian genocide. The charges were later dropped, and Turkish officials say that the law is currently being reformed.
Why do countries silence their citizens? A nation is nothing without its people, and it is the voice of the everyday mothers, fathers and children that are the essential elements that define a country. Turkish leaders, nor any leaders for that matter, should not punish their citizens for saying “unflattering” things about a nation, or things that “disintegrate the identity” of that country. Instead of trying to maintain a false utopian image, countries around the world should welcome criticism; a critique can be seen as the greatest form of flattery and affection.
Olorunbunmi Hambolu
