5th Burhaniye Book Fair has started

The Burhaniye Book Fair, held for the fifth time this year in the Burhaniye district of Balıkesir, opened its doors to visitors with prominent Turkish cinema actor Perihan Savaş as the guest of honor.
The fair, organized by the Burhaniye Municipality on the walking path of Ören Neighborhood, featured a classical music concert and a tango show during its opening.
In her speech, artist Perihan Savaş said, “I regretted not coming here before. Because I would have liked to be in a place that is so beautiful, that preserves so much greenery, and where such wonderful people gather. I envied those who live here. We truly have a population that does not love reading very much. We all know this and accept it. But I am ready to do whatever I can to make this book fair attract more attention and advance further.” Later, Burhaniye Mayor Ali Kemal Deveciler presented a crown made of olive branches to Perihan Savaş.
Mayor Ali Kemal Deveciler expressed his honor and pride in being together at the fifth edition of the book fair. Deveciler stated, “Today, we see that our Burhaniye district has become one of the most important centers of culture and art in Turkey. For five years, we have given special attention to culture and art within the local municipal services we have carried out. There is a Japanese proverb that says, ‘Books are the medicine for the soul.’ Just like our body, our soul also needs nourishment. Book fairs are one of the most magnificent places that create this atmosphere.”
In a speech at the opening, Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın said, “This homeland is a heavenly place. Every part is filled with different beauties and different riches. It is a vast geography, but the beautiful people of this geography truly produce beautiful things. I say this from here: together with my 20 mayors, Balıkesir is the shining star of Turkey.”
CHP Deputy Chair Gülşah Deniz Atalar emphasized that culture is a way of life for the Turkish people, stating, “Technology has certainly given us beautiful blessings, but it has also led to cultural degradation. We are unable to check what our children are reading on their phones, what false information exists, and where the correct information is. Because we, as parents, cannot develop our digital literacy as much as our children simultaneously. The book fairs here are very important. Books are very important. Correct information can only be found in books that have undergone a certain level of scrutiny.”
CHP Deputy Chair Gökhan Zeybek remarked, “The geography we live in is a cultural geography. Starting from Göbeklitepe, with its known history of 12,000 years, especially the Aegean and Mediterranean, and particularly Thrace and Marmara, have shaped humanity’s history for thousands of years and have borne the vast majority of the values produced by humanity in the name of culture. That is why it is called Anatolia. Each time we make a decision or approve a plan in this geography, we must never forget the historical responsibility to pass on all the legacies entrusted to us by the cultures that lived in these lands before us to future generations.”
After the speeches, participants cut the ribbon for the opening of the book fair. Subsequently, the stands of the publishing houses were visited. As part of the fair program, the observation terrace built by the Burhaniye Municipality on the Ören promenade was also inaugurated. The fifth book fair will continue with various events until July 28. Over 100 publishing houses participated in the Burhaniye 5th Book Fair, which was attended by master artist Perihan Savaş, Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın, Eskişehir Metropolitan Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce, CHP Deputy Chairs Gökhan Zeybek and Gülşah Melis Atalar, CHP Party Council Member Mehmet Tüm, Şanlıurfa MP Mahmut Tanal, former State Minister Önay Alpago, Didim Mayor Hayice Gençay, Bilecik Mayor Melek Mızrak Subaşı, Osmangazi Mayor Erkan Aydın, Ayvalık Mayor Mesut Ergin, Gömeç Mayor Melih Bağcı, and Edremit Deputy Mayor Coşkun Taşkın.