Istanbul's int'l book fair opens, featuring participation from Chinese publishers

Visitors line up to receive bookmarks featuring Chinese culture at the 41st International Istanbul Book Fair in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Nov. 2, 2024. The Book Fair kicked off here on Saturday, featuring participation from Chinese publishers and a diverse selection of Chinese books. Running until Nov. 10, the fair hosts 12 Chinese publishers this year, who are expected to sign copyright agreements to foster cooperation with participants, according to the fair's website. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

ISTANBUL, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 41st International Istanbul Book Fair kicked off here on Saturday, featuring participation from Chinese publishers and a diverse selection of Chinese books.

Running until Nov. 10, the fair hosts 12 Chinese publishers this year, who are expected to sign copyright agreements to foster cooperation with participants, according to the fair's website.

The China-Türkiye Publishing Cooperation Forum was held on the fair's opening day, bringing together Chinese and Turkish publishing houses.

Zhang Jing, deputy head of Higher Education Press, one of China's oldest professional educational publishers, highlighted the importance of cooperation between key countries along the Silk Road.

He noted the deep historical friendship and cooperation between China and Türkiye, highlighting new opportunities in the current era.

Mustafa Karsli, vice president of the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association, said that publishers from both countries are revitalizing and strengthening the rich legacy of the Silk Road, which spans thousands of years.

Chi Baodong, director of the publishing and media department at China Education Publishing and Media Group, highlighted the strong potential for intellectual collaboration between China and Türkiye.

Erdem Ergen, general publishing director of Türkiye's Nomos Publishing House, emphasized the importance of fostering such collaboration to enhance cultural and literary exchange.

With the theme "Childhood is a Celebration" and Azerbaijan as the guest of honor, the fair has brought together hundreds of authors and readers, along with over 1,000 publishers and civil society organizations.

A visitor reads a book at the 41st International Istanbul Book Fair in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Nov. 2, 2024. The Book Fair kicked off here on Saturday, featuring participation from Chinese publishers and a diverse selection of Chinese books. Running until Nov. 10, the fair hosts 12 Chinese publishers this year, who are expected to sign copyright agreements to foster cooperation with participants, according to the fair's website. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

A visitor reads a book at the 41st International Istanbul Book Fair in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Nov. 2, 2024. The Book Fair kicked off here on Saturday, featuring participation from Chinese publishers and a diverse selection of Chinese books. Running until Nov. 10, the fair hosts 12 Chinese publishers this year, who are expected to sign copyright agreements to foster cooperation with participants, according to the fair's website. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)