Orhan Kemal’s masterpieces “72. Koğuş” (Cell 72) and “El Kızı” (Strange girl) will be published in Albania as part of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry’s TEDA project to introduce Turkish literature to foreign countries.
Speaking to Anatolia news agency, Kemal’s son, Işık Öğütçü, said that with the new translations it is possible for the countries to grow closer.
Kemal’s other books such as “Cemile,” “Baba Evi” (Father’s house), “Avare Yıllar” (Vagabond Years) and “Murtaza” had also been translated into other languages, Öğütçü said. He is very happy to see his father’s books in the Albanian language as well, he added.
Two of the late author’s books, “72. Koğuş” and “Cemile,” were translated into Urdu and released in Pakistan as part of the project, which aims to publish Turkish works in other languages.
“Both countries help each other in hard times. This is seen in the field of literature and culture,” Öğütçu told Anatolia news agency, noting that Pakistan and Turkey were sister countries. “Previously, two of my father’s books were released in Pakistan.
Also, Jumhoori Publishing House released his two autobiographical books in 2010. Due to the interest in these books, ‘Cemile’ and ‘72. Koğuş’ were published by the same publishing house.”
With the last two books, 35 of his books have now been released abroad, Öğütçü said. “I make offers to translators and publishing houses.
Generally, foreign publishing houses do not know much about Turkish literature.
