Sunay Akın Highlights Democracy and Language:
“A Book Enlightens Us Like the Sun”

Bornova Municipality’s 6th Book Days kicked off with a concert by Grup İlyada and a talk by Sunay Akın, where he emphasized democracy and the importance of language. At the opening, Mayor Ömer Eşki underlined that the event aims to bring people together with books while preserving its modest character. Running until October 5, the event will host 63 publishing houses, 463 authors, and numerous activities for book lovers.

Organized for the sixth time by Bornova Municipality, Book Days has become one of Turkey’s largest literary events. The opening ceremony at Homeros Stage featured Grup İlyada, followed by guest speaker, poet, writer, journalist, and actor Sunay Akın.

“Democracy is the harmony of different instruments”
In his talk “Two Books, One Passion”, Sunay Akın shared his journey of discovering art and literature, connecting it to key messages on democracy:
“If everyone thinks the same, then no one is really thinking. What makes us strong is the ability to think differently. Democracy is the most beautiful orchestra composed of diverse instruments. That’s why those we elect and send to Ankara must know how to read music. A book enlightens us like the sun, dispelling all shadows.”

He also stressed the importance of language, saying:
“Democracy can be measured by the number of words used in daily life. While the average should be around 1,500–2,000 words, in our country this number has fallen below 600. When Atatürk spoke about Turkish in worship, his concern was not religion, but language. This is what we must understand.”

Mayor Eşki: “This event is built on great dedication”
Before the talk, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki presented Sunay Akın with miniature statues of Atatürk, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and Hector, as well as a mini Homeros statue, in memory of the day.

In his opening speech, Mayor Eşki emphasized the special significance of the event:
“We didn’t allow any external intervention in this event. Its foundation was laid years ago when my wife and her friends dreamed of creating such a gathering in Bornova by personally visiting publishing houses. Our goal is to bring people together with books, knowledge, and stories. Because at the root of violence and ugliness lies cultural emptiness and ignorance. The strongest tool to free people from this is the book.”

He also highlighted Turkish Language Day:
“One of Mustafa Kemal’s greatest gifts to Turkey after freedom was the purification of Turkish and ensuring that the people and the parliament spoke the same language. Today, we are proud to host Sunay Akın, a symbol of democracy, literature, and poetry, here in Bornova.”

Local authors, children, and workshops
Bornova Municipality’s Director of Cultural Affairs, Yasin Barut, explained the purpose of the event:
“Book Days aims to bring together local authors and poets who haven’t had the chance to gain visibility with prominent publishing houses and writers, while also fostering a reading habit among Bornova residents.”

On the first day, the Odysseia Stage hosted authors Ayşenur Arslan, Esra Odman İyier, Hatice Eğilmez Kaya, Hülya Soyşekerci, Ferda İzbudak Akıncı, Gizem Çetinkol, Gamze Yayık, Kamer Yıldız Ok, Aysel Karaca, and Berrin Yelkenbiçer. Meanwhile, the İlyada Stage featured children’s reading sessions, bookmark-making, and art workshops.

İlber Ortaylı in Bornova on September 27
Throughout the 6th Book Days, 63 publishing houses and 463 authors will meet readers in Bornova. The program includes:

• September 27: Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı (guest of honor) and İlyas Salman

• September 28: Cihat E. Çiçek and Buket Uzuner

• September 30: Arzu Erkan

• October 1: Barış İnve and Y. Bekir Yurdakul

• October 3: Deniz Erbulak and Banu Köstem

• October 4: Tamer Levent, Fatih Cem Gülbent, Pelin Batu, and Haluk Çetin

• October 5: Yusuf Kurt

Over 10 days, panels, talks, conferences, poetry and storytelling sessions, children’s workshops, as well as pilates and yoga activities will welcome Bornova residents to a cultural celebration.