Story and pictures: Onur Uz
Internationally acclaimed novelist Burhan Sönmez met with his Londoner readers to talk about his latest book “Istanbul Istanbul”, alongside answering PEN International’s Policy & Advocacy Manager Sarah Clarke’s questions at Asia House London. The conversation followed topics such as being an artist in Istanbul, maintaining artistic poise in political corruption and art as an international tool of expression.
“NOTHING IS NEW”
Answering questions over the last year’s coup attempt and what happened in its aftermath with a high number detentions against journalists and scholars and more, Mr Sönmez said: ‘Even if maybe this is the darkest era we face in Turkish Republic’s history, I have to tell nothing is new. Turkey is always going through something and has always been in a rough pattern.’
Sarah Clarke (left) and Burhan Sönmez (right)
“Even if this current phase we’re in may be the darkest era we face in Turkish Republic’s history, I have to tell nothing is new. Turkey is always going through something and has always been in a rough pattern. We can plainly see that in every decade, Turkey faces another obstacle to get through”
Mr Sönmez also remarked that his latest book, Istanbul Istanbul is not a political piece, although it comprises politically engaged rhetoric, the book centres upon the relationship that blossoms amongst the characters, who are imprisoned in Istanbul.
‘There are of course some political elements, but it doesn’t mean the book is any political” says Mr Sönmez.
“I AM VERY OPTIMIST TOWARDS TRANSLATION”
Answering a member of the audience’s question over his thoughts on translation and whether it kills the main “expression materials”, Mr Sönmez said that on contrary to what people may think, he is a true believer that good translation enriches the piece.
“I am a true believer that a good translation can discover new shores that the author couldn’t in their own language. An Italian translator can find words and sentences that may even depict better my expressions”
The event also saw PEN International’s Turkey representative Ege Dündar’s involvement with him reading passages from the book.
The event carried on to a Q/A session then followed on to a meet and greet session.