An Evening of Literary Exchange: Ambassador of Türkiye Hosts Exclusive Reception Celebrating India-Türkiye Literary Bonds at New Delhi World Book Fair 2026

New Delhi, 16th January 2026:

H.E. Mr. Ali Murat Ersoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to India, hosted an elegant literary reception at his residence on 14th January 2026, bringing together the vibrant worlds of Indian and Turkish literature in celebration of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026. The exclusive evening marked a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy between the two nations, honouring their shared reverence for the written word and centuries-old storytelling traditions.

The intimate gathering brought together 60 distinguished guests, including prominent publishers, celebrated authors, literary critics, and cultural luminaries. Leading publishing houses represented at the Fair—such as Nobel Publications, Nar Publications, Epsilon Publications, Metamorfoz Publications, Literatür Publications, FOM Publications, A7 Publications, Kelime Publications, and Yumurcak Publications—participated in the event, enabling them to reach wider audiences and establish new business partnerships. Turkish literature continues to resonate with readers worldwide, including in India, where interest in Turkish literary works has grown significantly. H.E. Mr. Ali Murat Ersoy and Mrs. Fazilet Ersoy personally welcomed their guests, creating a warm and gracious atmosphere that reflected the deep cultural affinity between Türkiye and India.

The evening commenced with a welcome address by Ambassador Ersoy, who emphasised the power of literature as a bridge between civilisations, languages and societies. Commenting on the occasion, H.E. Mr. Ali Murat Ersoy said, “Literature has always been a profound bridge between civilisations, transcending borders and fostering understanding between people. As we gather this evening to celebrate the literary traditions of India and Türkiye, we honour not just the written word, but the shared values, ancient wisdom, and rich storytelling heritage that unite our two great nations. Through cultural exchanges like the New Delhi World Book Fair, we are enabling Turkish and Indian readers to discover each other's literary treasures, deepening the bonds of friendship that have connected our peoples for centuries.”

Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye delivered a special presentation on literary translation funding program TEDA, highlighting recent literary collaborations and translation projects that are strengthening the bonds between Turkish and Indian languages.

The New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 provides an effective platform to the promotion of the TEDA project carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism since 2005. Within the scope of the project, which provides financial support for the translation and publication of works of Turkish literature into foreign languages, support has been provided to 1076 publishers and 4599 works in 99 different countries, in 66 different languages. In India, TEDA Program has funded 41 publishing houses, 191 translation works of 89 authors in 8 different languages including Bengali, Hindi, English, Kannada, Mayalayam, Marathi, Tamil, and Urdu.

The evening's programme included a presentation by Antonym Publications Director  Biswadip Chakraborty on their literary works and translation projects, and the latest featured project titled “Bearing Witness to the Age” selected poems of Behçet Necatigil translated from the Turkish by Neil P. Doherty & Gökçenur Ç. And Illustrated by the talented Sarbani Dasgupta.

One of the cornerstones of modern Turkish poetry, Behçet Necatigil, over the forty-odd years of his artistic life, from 1935, when his first poems were published, to 1978, produced a wide range of major works in various forms: poems, essays, letters, radio plays, dictionaries, reviews, and anthologies. He was also known as a distinguished translator who rendered a wide range of poetry and prose into Turkish. He recreated the world in each of his books, and by doing so, managed to broaden his readers’ horizons and furnish them with startling new insights. One might well compare him to an underground stream who silently carved out new paths that transformed and developed the Turkish language and its poetry. He was a multi-faceted, multi-layered poet, and his work has continued to inspire generations of poets and writers.

At the event, guests were treated to an exquisite selection of authentic Turkish and Indian cuisine, featuring signature delicacies such as The gastronomic experience complemented the literary theme, showcasing how both nations express their cultural richness through multiple art forms.

The literary reception served as a testament to the enduring friendship between India and Türkiye, united by their appreciation for knowledge, artistic expression, and the transformative power of literature. As two nations with ancient civilisations and rich oral and written traditions, this gathering reinforced the role of cultural exchange in deepening bilateral understanding and cooperation.a

About Türkiye

Located in the Mediterranean and connecting Asia and the European continents that are separated by the famous Bosporus, Türkiye is a destination that welcomes tourists from all around the world. The country that has always been a hub for cultural interaction and home to varying climates inspires visitors today with its history, nature, and gastronomy that reflect the diversity of civilizations for centuries. Located at the crossroads of cultures, Türkiye has a distinctive understanding of art & fashion, which is the synthesis of tradition and modernity, and its extremely dynamic shopping & entertainment life also attracts visitors from all over the world. For more about Türkiye please visit: https://www.goturkiye.com/