By Heidi Trautmann
Recently some of our local poets and writers have brought out new books, at the moment being only in Turkish. But I feel it is important to mention the publications in order to make the public aware of activities in this field.
The authors, Gürgenç Korkmazel, Tamer Öncül, Mehmet Kansu and Ümit Inatçi, are members of the Turkish Cypriot Artists and Writers Union. The Union was founded in April 1990. The reason for its foundation was to form a strong united voice, a necessity for artists and writers – in short, for all creative people who want to be heard. Over the years, I have observed with great interest the activities of this union.
In the charter of the young Union the following objectives and aims were laid down:
-Fostering solidarity between Turkish Cypriot artists and writers;
-Supporting, promoting and distributing the works by Turkish Cypriot artists and writers both domestically and internationally,
-Carrying out the requisite activities for the development of the Turkish Cypriot community and its culture,
-Defending the establishment and proliferation of freedom of thought and expression and striving for this aim in the widest sense.
Presidents of the Union were, starting from 1990, Haşmet M. Gürkan; İsmail Bozkurt; Mustafa Gökçeoğlu; Tamer Öncül; Fikret Demirağ; Zeki Ali and the still acting president Neşe Yaşın.
Gürgenç Korkmazel, a fine poet, writer and translator of poetry books such as Tamer Beybars, has published his new poetry book with the title ‘Sirkiran’.
Tamer Öncül collated the articles he wrote in Yeni Düzen, an important newspaper in Cyprus, in the book ‘Sesli Düşünceler’ (With loud voice), critics, reviews on the art scene, reports on education, environment, political views and critics, a fine time document. Tamer has also published poetry books.
Mehmet Kansu, a well known poet and short story writer published his 31st book ‘Dogu Akdenizli Larva ‘Çılgın Bir Dalgıç‘ end of 2012 already.
Finally, Ümit Inatçi, poet, writer and fine artist, has just recently published another two books, one of them is a small poetry book ‘Salinma’. Ümit Inatçı illustrates his own books but also those of his poetry friends with beautiful graphics.
I was present at a book launch at the Naci Talat Guest and Peace House in Nicosia, of two poets namely by Tamer Öncül and Ümit Inatçı, an interesting place with many cultural activities.
There are books on local poetry available in English, either as anthologies or as individual translations. Just ask at the bookstore such as Işik Bookstore or Rüstem Bookstore in Nicosia.