Istanbul Publishing Fellowship unites the global publishing world for 11th edition

2026-01-27 - 15:40

The Istanbul Publishing Fellowship is set to host its eleventh international gathering next month, positioning Türkiye firmly on the global literary map. From February 10–12, the Taş Yapı Event and Congress Center will host hundreds of publishing professionals for direct copyright negotiations and partnership-building. A Platform for Global Exchange and Turkish Content Project Coordinator Sümeyra İnanç framed the event as a critical networking platform and content marketplace rather than a conventional book fair. “Our mission is to facilitate the international flow of stories and cultural heritage,” İnanç stated, emphasizing the fellowship’s design to foster professional collaborations through structured meetings. She highlighted its democratic nature, where small and large publishing houses receive equal opportunity to form lasting partnerships. Substantial International Participation Highlights Growth This year’s edition saw nearly a thousand applications, with 335 publishers ultimately selected to attend. The cohort includes 110 Turkish publishers and 225 international representatives from 73 countries, underscoring the event's expanding global reach. Organizer Mehmet Burhan Genç outlined the core objective: to increase the translation of Turkish works into world languages and establish Istanbul as a recognized international copyright hub. Strategic Focus on Indonesia and Media Adaptations Indonesia has been selected as the 2025 focus country, with ten publishing houses attending. Officials like Halil Çelik noted that Turkish literature, especially religious titles, has found a receptive audience in the Indonesian market, and previous focus country initiatives have led to the export of hundreds of titles. Alongside rights trading, the program features a Media Match section. This segment, as explained by Münir Üstün, connects publishers with film and television producers to identify works with adaptation potential, while Copyright Awards will recognize the most successful rights sellers. Challenging the Eurocentric Publishing Model A stated ambition of the fellowship is to decentralize the traditional publishing world. Spokesperson Melike Günyüz offered a pointed critique, stating, “Through visa policies and other mechanisms, Europe often positions itself as the industry's center. Our forum enables a publisher from Uzbekistan to meet one from Taiwan in Istanbul. We are providing a democratic alternative and shifting the route away from a purely Eurocentric focus.” Now in its second decade, the Istanbul Publishing Fellowship continues its work to build intellectual bridges and amplify Türkiye’s influence in global publishing.