Başaran Düzgün novel presented at Nicosia Book Fest

Journalist and author Başaran Düzgün’s novel Öksüz Atlar Ülkesinde, rendered in English as Orphaned Horses Land, was presented to Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot readers at the Nicosia Book Fest in Strovolo, according to Halkın Sesi.

The presentation took place at Strovolo Park during the festival, which was organised by Strovolo Municipality, the newspaper reported.

Düzgün told the audience that literature forms part of Cyprus’s shared heritage. He said the novel focuses on the remarkable experiences of ordinary people whose stories, in his view, do not appear in official history books.

According to Halkın Sesi, Düzgün described poverty and the colonialism he said produced it as a common adversary for Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities in the world portrayed by the book.

He said the novel drew inspiration from a real life and aimed to preserve part of the memory of a generation, and potentially of the island itself.

Düzgün also spoke about a forthcoming book, Tanrının Öldüğü Yer (The Place Where God Died). He said it would address suffering experienced by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.