The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s City Theatres are eagerly preparing to stage a special event focused on the poetry of the renowned Turkish literary figure, Gülten Akın, as part of the Istanbul Poetry Encounter series. Under the direction and adaptation of Emre Koyuncuoğlu, the event titled “I Am Responsible for Nergis” is set to captivate book enthusiasts.

The event is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 16:30, at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center’s Interexpo Hall. As part of the 40th International Istanbul Book Fair, the Istanbul Poetry Encounter offers a unique concept, distinct from the traditional repertoire plays, aiming to provide the audience with an unforgettable experience. It delves deep into Gülten Akın’s poetic world, bringing her verses to life on the stage.

The talented cast for this event includes Radife Baltaoğlu, Sevil Akı, Yeşim Koçak, Işıl Zeynep Karaalp, Şirin Asutay, Ebru Üstüntaş, and Elvan Boran, who will breathe life into Gülten Akın’s exceptional poetry. Emre Koyuncuoğlu, the director of the show, describes his approach to bringing Gülten Akın’s poetry to the stage:

“Staging poetry is quite different from staging a play. Each poet has a unique language and an aesthetic form. We thought about how to express this form in a three-dimensional performative reality, while keeping in mind the sincerity and simplicity of Gülten Akın’s poetry. Her verses speak to us from the heart. They become a part of us, with the words etching into our souls, the melodies lingering in our ears, and the images resonating with our conscience. Gülten Akın’s ability to turn darkness into humorous reality through sudden shifts in her language, making us smile, is remarkable. She reconciles the femininity imposed on her with the woman who lives inside her and, with her vibrant maturity, particularly, offers a feminist perspective that speaks to us from these lands. I believe we have captured a tone of Gülten Akın’s poetry by simplifying these data in my mind and incorporating the suggestions of my fellow actors.”

The event’s music is composed by Salih Korkut Peker, stage and costume design by Ahsen Nur Yaman, lighting design by Mustafa Türkoğlu, and live music is performed by Aydın Yıldız and Altuğ Kutluğ. Göksel Arslan and Asrın Gurur Kuyucak will also be part of the event as assistants.

40th International Istanbul Book Fair to Welcome Book Enthusiasts

The 40th International Istanbul Book Fair will take place at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center from October 28 to November 5, 2023. The fair will host numerous esteemed publishers, authors, and readers from both Turkey and abroad. It will be a hub for cultural events and book signings, offering book lovers an unmissable experience. This year’s fair aims to bring together a diverse array of literary works and authors, creating a memorable literary gathering.