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Date published: 15 January 2020 11:31
Modified On: 15 January 2020 16:33

Publishers Express Support for Selahattin Demirtaş’s First Novel ‘Leylan’

Several publishing houses and bookstores have shared messages of support for “Leylan”, the first novel penned by HDP’s imprisoned former Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş.

İstanbul
Publishers Express Support for Selahattin Demirtaş’s First Novel ‘Leylan’

Click to read the article in Turkish

Amid debates on the theater play adapted from his second short story book, several bookstores and publishers have shared messages of solidarity and support for "Leylan", the first novel penned by Selahattin Demirtaş, the imprisoned former Co-Chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The book will come out in Turkey on January 22.

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Adapted for the stage by artist Jülide Kural, "Devran" was targeted by Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu shortly after its debut in İstanbul on January 11. "You cannot clean the blood on your hands with theater plays", said Soylu, who was soon to be denounced by several artists such as Halil Ergün, Lale Mansur and Nur Sürer.

Publishers and bookstores have shared the following messages in support of "Leylan" and Dipnot Publishing, which will publish the novel:

Versus & Aylak Book: "Since the book of Selahattin Demirtaş was announced to the public, it has been facing attacks to prevent its distribution. We stand with our fellow publisher Dipnot against the boundaries attempted to be set for freedom of thought and expression."

Moda Book: "Of our followers who will retweet this tweet until January 28, we will present Leylan of Dear Demirtaş to 10 people by drawing lots."

Tekin Publishing House: "We stand with our friend Dipnot Publishing House, with whom we have been struggling under the same roof to ensure that thoughts can be expressed, spread and published.

"We will sell Leylan in every field and by any means!

"No one should feel bad."

Avesta Publishing: "Some debates on Selahattin Demirtaş's unpublished book go beyond the frame of freedom of thought and constitute a direct interference in freedom of thought and expression as well as the right to spread them. We stand with Dipnot Publishing."

Notabene Publishing: "We have to defend the thought and book against a wave of attacks that will apparently be extended and generalized. We stand with our fellow and sister publisher Dipnot."

Telos Publishing: "We find the campaign aiming to prevent the sale of Selahattin Demirtaş's book extremely dangerous. It should not be forgotten that the repressive attitude and censorship that have materialized in the person of Demirtaş today have been implemented in this geography for years, but have born no positive results."

Yordam Book: "We condemn the campaign to ban the sale of politician and writer Selahattin Demirtaş's books and the repressive mindset. We recall the words of famous German poet H. Heine: "Whoever burns books today will burn humans tomorrow."

(AÖ/SD)

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https://bianet.org/haber/publishers-express-support-for-selahattin-demirtas-s-first-novel-leylan-218627
2024-05-20 14:06:29