The giant organization, hosted by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and implemented in cooperation with İZFAŞ and TACT Fuarcılık, is not just a commercial book sale, but a strategic vision that strengthens the intellectual infrastructure of the city. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality, Zafer Levent Yıldır, emphasized the importance of urban enlightenment, pointing out that the reading culture directly enriches the way of thinking of a city.
Stating that they aim to create public spaces where books are accessible to everyone, Yıldır stated that Hasan Ali Yücel and İlber Ortaylı libraries established within Kültürpark are the most concrete outputs of this vision. Thanks to these steps, it is aimed for the people of Izmir to live a life intertwined with literature not only during the fair period, but also 365 days a year.
Guest of Honor Gündüz Vassaf and the Huge Participant Squad
This year's guest of honor of İZKITAP, where the heart of the literary world beats, was the master writer and psychologist Gündüz Vassaf, who made unique contributions to Turkish intellectual life and psychology literature. Vassaf's eye-opening speech at the opening once again confirmed the intellectual weight of the fair.
The fair also attracts attention with its numerical size. In the organization where approximately 200 distinguished publishing houses opened stands; Nearly 400 writers, poets, journalists and academics from the world of literature, academia, media and art will establish direct contact with their readers through signing days and panels.
This giant literature marathon, where entrance is completely free, can be visited uninterruptedly between 10.00 and 20.00 every day. The 8th Izmir Book Fair, held in the historical atmosphere of Kültürpark, will continue to keep the cultural pulse of the city until September 27.