Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "Contrary to popular belief, reading remains an important component of our daily lives. Its significance is growing. Reading rates are not decreasing. Books are becoming an increasingly valued cultural asset."
Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun spoke at the inauguration of the 8th International Book and Culture Fair held at the Kahramanmaraş Fair Centre. Starting his speech by wishing Allah's mercy on martyr Specialist Sergeant Kürşat Sert, Director of Communications Altun said, "Our martyrs are noble souls who have made a great contribution with their blood to make this country, the nation holy and eternal and have ensured that this country, this homeland will exist until eternity. I wish Allah's mercy on our martyrs."
Conveying the greetings of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Director of Communications Altun said that they were there for the inauguration of the 8th International Book and Culture Fair, one of the major events in Kahramanmaraş and that it was of particular importance that the fair was held with the theme of respect for Sezai Karakoç.
Stating that Kahramanmaraş was the city of writers, poets, the enlightened, the city of "Seven Beautiful Men", the city where Sezai Karakoç spent his secondary school years, Director of Communications Altun wished Allah's mercy on Cahit Zarifoğlu, Mehmet Akif İnan, Erdem Bayazıt, Rasim Özdenören, Ali Kutlay, Nuri Pakdil, Alaeddin Özdenören and Sezai Karakoç.
"The book is the crown of our civilisation"
"The book is the crown of our civilisation. Because wisdom is one of the essential elements of our civilisation," said Director of Communications Altun, and stated that the book, as one of the bearer elements of wisdom, was a founding element.
Director of Communications Altun assessed, "Libraries are an essential part of our civilisation and social life. We see that book fairs are a part of this tradition and process that has been carried forward to the present day. It is a source of great pride to see that book fairs have now become institutionalised in Anatolian cities and large cities."
Stating that book fairs were particularly significant to him, Director of Communications Altun recalled that he began his professional life as a publisher.
Director of Communications Altun stated that book fairs have always been significant to him as a person who aspires to be a good reader and that it has always been a significant opportunity for publishers to bring their works together at book fairs and to interact with readers.
Stating that he attached importance to book fairs as a writer as well, Director of Communications Altun said, "In this sense, I think that book fairs are important also in terms of meeting readers, people with a passion for learning."
Stating that book fairs have now turned into an actuality of daily and cultural life, Director of Communications Altun went on to say:
"In fact, the interest in book fairs and the dynamism for reading, writing, and production has recently been reflected in the data in a significant way. As a matter of fact, when we look at the number of ISBNs from 20 years ago, we find that it was less than nine thousand every year; however, today, this number has multiplied by ten. This demonstrates that contrary to popular belief, reading remains an essential component of our daily lives. Its significance is growing. Reading rates are not decreasing. Books are becoming an increasingly valued cultural asset. Today's fair is an indication of this."
"The Nation's Library is our pride"
Noting that it is evident that President Erdoğan attaches great importance to books and science and drawing attention to the performance he put forth regarding the establishment of the nation's libraries, Director of Communications Altun stated that the most concrete manifestation of this is the Nation's Library in the Presidential Complex. Director of Communications Altun added:
"As the largest library in our region, the Nation's Library, the largest library in Türkiye, is a source of pride for us. It became one of the reference hubs for international researchers. Our President's assiduous effort has led to the establishment of this library, and it has become a significant symbol of Turkish cultural life. Again, the initiative to convert the Rami Barracks into a library, which is being followed by our President, is advancing at a rapid pace. Inshallah, it will become one of Istanbul's most emblematic cultural venues."
Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun invited all age groups to the libraries.
Noting that they were making efforts to promote and develop the library culture, which is open 24 hours a day, Director of Communications Altun said, "Inshallah, we will progress toward becoming a society that reads more and is more educated."
Emphasising that reading is not a passive activity, Director of Communications Altun said:
"Our President consistently applies the following formula, read, think, apply, and make a conclusion, particularly when interacting with young people. If you don't think about what you read, don't put into practice what you think, meditate on, or learn, and don't reach a conclusion as a result, in that case, what kind of reading this would be, as Yunus Emre expresses it. According to Yunus, this is all and only a futile effort. The most important point is that reading is truly valuable if it leads people to a conclusion and a better life. I hope that reading allows us to know ourselves and the truth, as well as the rightful one."
Following his address, Director of Communications Altun inaugurated the fair with the protocol, wishing the fair to be beneficial.
