The Antalya Book Fair is experiencing an influx of visitors.

The 14th Antalya Book Fair hosted by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality attracted a crowd of book lovers. The event featured many authors meeting their readers and signing books, with significant interest in the conversation by the 26th Chief of General Staff, General İlker Başbuğ, on the topic of ‘Fundamental Principles on which the Republic is Based.’ After the talk, Başbuğ signed his book for readers.

The Antalya Book Fair, organized by the Metropolitan Municipality for the 14th time this year, was met with considerable interest from book lovers. Many authors, ranging from young writers to experienced names, came together with their fans at signing events held at the Glass Pyramid. The talk by General İlker Başbuğ on ‘Fundamental Principles on which the Republic is Based’ was one of the most notable events of the day. After the discussion, Başbuğ signed books for his readers.

Additionally, well-known authors such as Ahmet Telli, Burcu Bahar, D.N. Archeron, Ekin S. Koch, Emre Gül, Engin Alan, Fatih Tuncay, Gamze Aydeniz, Nazel Noya, Işık Öğütçü, Kader Arvas, Loresima, Mataral Atmaca, N.G. Kabal, Özge Naz, and Zeynep Sey also held signing events at the fair.

Thoughts on Technology and Human Relations
General İlker Başbuğ, during the conversation held as part of the fair, highlighted the effects of technology on human relationships in today’s world, discussing how technological advancements shape our relationships. He stated, “We see that people are so engrossed in their phones even during morning walks that they are far from even calling their loved ones aloud. This is a sad situation because even vocal communication has lost its value,” emphasizing the aspects of technology that alienate people from one another.

The Place of Reading in Our Lives
Başbuğ also touched upon the importance of reading for individual development. He noted that he has observed an increase in the rates of book reading in recent years, saying, “I think a person who does not read is missing out. One of the most important characteristics that set Mustafa Kemal Atatürk apart from others was his continuous desire to improve himself through reading from a young age.” He expressed that reading is one of the cornerstones of being human.

The Importance of Education and Preschool
In his speech, Başbuğ also addressed the education system, particularly emphasizing the significant importance of preschool education for the development of societies. He stated, “When we look at countries that are successful in education worldwide, we see that preschool education is one of the cornerstones of this success. Unfortunately, Turkey is lagging behind European countries in this area.” He also stressed that closing military schools was a mistake, noting that these schools play an important role in raising enlightened individuals.

A Full Day
The 14th Antalya Book Fair was filled with various events and author talks. Conversations with authors such as Barış Terkoğlu and Zeynep Çolakoğlu also garnered great interest at the fair. Throughout the day, book lovers had the opportunity to browse books at publishers’ stands, leaving the fair with enjoyable memories from signing events and discussions with authors.