D&R is breaking new ground with the “D&R Urladam Book Festival,” which will be held for the first time at Urladam, the cultural and artistic center of the Aegean, where many authors and thousands of books will meet readers. The festival, taking place from August 1-4 in Urladam, will feature many famous authors such as Ayşe Kulin, İlber Ortaylı, Kürşat Başar, Beyhan Budak, Murat Menteş, İclal Aydın, and Ercan Kesal. The festival will also include art workshops, literary talks, an all-day sculpture exhibition by Ozan Ünal, music festivities, and open-air Yeşilçam cinema.
Turkey’s largest culture, arts, and entertainment platform, D&R, is preparing to host a true cultural and artistic feast in Izmir Urladam starting on August 1. The “D&R Urladam Book Festival,” which will be held for the first time this year and will last for four days, will host many authors and artists. The festival, held at Urladam, founded by the couple Ercan and Nazan Kesal, will feature daily discussions with master writers on various topics, moonlit author-reader meetings, and signing ceremonies. Thousands of books will also be available for sale in the Hangardam hall. Moreover, all visitors will be offered a 60% discount on their second book as a special festival promotion.
A Different Topic on Literature Each Day
On the first day of the festival, the guests will be Ayşe Kulin and İlber Ortaylı. The topic for the first day is “The Aegean and Literature,” with Ercan Kesal and Nazan Kesal as moderators. The topic for the second day is “On Literature and Food.” The speakers will be the author and actress İclal Aydın and Selda Güleç, a true enthusiast of learning and cooking. The day will begin with Alper Canıgüz, the first Turkish author to make it to the list of “Best in World Literature,” and end with a book signing event for İclal Aydın’s newly released novel “Salkım Sokak No: 3.”
On the third day, the guests will be the author and actor Ercan Kesal and Alphan Manas, the founder and honorary president of the Futurists Association, in a panel on “Literature of Artificial Intelligence” moderated by Mustafa Akar, Director of Turkuvaz Magazine Group. Following the panel, Ercan Kesal will sign his books and then leave the stage for another talk by clinical psychologist and author Beyhan Budak.
On the final day, the discussions will focus on literature, women, and music with guests Murat Menteş, Kürşat Başar, and Gaye Boralıoğlu.
Yeşilçam Films Under the Stars and Ozan Ünal Sculpture Exhibition
Each evening of the festival at 22:00, beloved Yeşilçam films such as “Sultan,” “Bizim Aile,” “Neşeli Günler,” and “Mavi Boncuk” can be enjoyed under the stars. Throughout the festival, selected pieces from renowned sculptor Ozan Ünal will be on display, accompanied by the unique sounds of the Aegean in Urladam’s wonderful atmosphere.
Festival Program
August 1, Thursday
- 19:00 Ayşe Kulin – Talk and Book Signing
- 20:00 İlber Ortaylı – Talk and Book Signing
- 22:30 Yeşilçam Under the Stars – “Sultan” and Ozan Ünal Sculpture Exhibition All Day
August 2, Friday
- 18:00 Alper Canıgüz – Talk and Book Signing
- 19:00 İclal Aydın and Selda Güleç – “On Literature and Food”
- 20:00 İclal Aydın – Book Signing
- 22:30 Yeşilçam Under the Stars – “Bizim Aile” and Ozan Ünal Sculpture Exhibition All Day
August 3, Saturday
- 18:00 Alphan Manas, Ercan Kesal, and Mustafa Akar – “On Artificial Intelligence and Literature”
- 19:00 Ercan Kesal – Book Signing
- 20:30 Beyhan Budak – “Personal Development in the Digital Age” Talk and Book Signing
- 22:30 Yeşilçam Under the Stars – “Neşeli Günler” and Ozan Ünal Sculpture Exhibition All Day
August 4, Sunday
- 22:30 Yeşilçam Under the Stars – “Mavi Boncuk” and Ozan Ünal Sculpture Exhibition All Day
- 18:00 Gaye Boralıoğlu – “Women’s Stories in Historical Novels” Talk and Book Signing
- 19:00 Murat Menteş – “Life Adapted from a Novel” Talk and Book Signing
- 20:00 Kürşat Başar – Musical Talk
