The 6th Erzurum Book Fair in Eastern Anatolia opened its doors to book lovers
The Eastern Anatolia Erzurum Book Fair, organized by the Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality for the sixth time this year, opened its doors to book lovers with great interest. During the opening ceremony, which was also attended by Deputy Minister of Interior Bülent Turan, Erzurum Metropolitan Mayor spoke about the importance of reading and the cultural significance of books.

Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality organized the 6th Eastern Anatolia Erzurum Book Fair this year, which opened its doors to book lovers with great interest. Deputy Minister of Interior Bülent Turan, who also attended the opening, Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General Zafer Aynalı, provided information about the technical features of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Fair Center. Aynalı stated that the book fair appeals not only to Erzurum but also to the Eastern Anatolia Region. Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mehmet Sekmen said, ‘As known, starting from 2014; we have been organizing the Book Fair, which we offer to the interest of Erzurum at Havuzbaşı Kent Square, in a traditional way with a modern fair concept in 10 years… Thanks to our Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Fair Center, which is one of the prestigious investments of our Metropolitan Municipality, Erzurum has become a city that is assertive in fair tourism.’ Sekmen, who stated that all the fairs organized under this roof we brought to Erzurum have shown how great potential this city has several times. Mayor Sekmen, who mentioned that more than 1 million people visited the fairs opened in 10 years, said: ‘Taking into account the value this figure adds to the economy directly and indirectly, as well as to the image of Erzurum, it will be understood why we allocate a special place for this investment and fair tourism. This year, 130 publishers and over 50 authors will participate in our 6th Eastern Anatolia Erzurum Book Fair. Book lovers from Erzurum and other cities in our region will flock here for 9 days, adding a different harmony and color to our city. Free transportation services will be organized during the fair period, ensuring that everyone from all ages benefits from this cultural gathering. Because we all know that the path to becoming a developed society goes through reading. Our fair will mainly consist of cultural publications. During our book fair, there will be daily discussions, panels, cultural events, signing days, cinema screenings, ashik tradition, story-telling with songs, and other activities. We will introduce our readers to approximately 165 thousand book varieties with the publishing houses participating in our fair.’ Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi expressed that the meeting of students and young people with books and authors is extremely valuable. Governor Çiftçi noted, ‘Technology, the internet, and the speed of information circulation are effective in every stage of our lives. Investments in technology and science have been increased more than before with the aim of increasing the quality of life of societies. Reading provides personal development for individuals. It enhances the thought structure and imagination, increases the vocabulary, and provides knowledge and experience to individuals. Human beings are created to learn.’