Writers and Artists in Samsun React to Local Government's Book Fair Decision
In Samsun, 101 artists and writers protested in a joint statement that local producers were not included in the book fair organized by the municipality.
The exclusion of local writers from the book fair to be held by the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality has drawn a major reaction from literature and art circles.
Local Writers Not Included in the Book Fair
The Samsun Book Fair, organized by the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality and preparing to meet book lovers between October 24 and November 1, has also brought controversy with it. The exclusion of writers and poets living in the city from the planned organization caused disappointment in local cultural circles.
Joint Statement from 101 Artists and Writers
Following this decision of exclusion in the city, respected figures of the literature and art world united under the umbrella of the Samsun Art Platform took action. 101 names, including Zeynep Aliye, Turgut Çeviker, Semrin Şahin, and Yaşar Gündem, signed a joint statement.
Call for Common Sense and Pluralism Made
In the statement published under the title "Call for Pluralism and Common Sense at the Samsun Book Fair," it was emphasized that this decision taken by the local government is a major deficiency in terms of the city's rich culture and art life.
Risk of Standardization Emphasized
Stating that culture and art activities cannot be imprisoned in a single understanding, the signatories warned the local government against the risk of standardizing social life and invited them to re-evaluate the decision.