The Turkish Publishers Association presents Freedom of Thought and Expression Awards to one author, one publishing house and to one library each year, since 1995. The Author award this year was granted to two organizations who defend and fight for human rights, freedom of thought and expression and stands up against censorship, pressures and bans. Those 2 organizations were PEN Türkiye and Turkish Writers Union.

This year “publishing house award” was given to Günışığı Kitaplığı whose seven books were censored by Turkish Government. The Library Award was given to the Fidan Library in Malatya which was completely destroyed in the last earthquake

The Award ceremony was held at Yapı Kredi Culture Center on April 12.

Kenan Kocatürk, President of Turkish Publishers Association in his opening speech emphasized that the freedom of reading and writing should be placed at the centre of our lives and he praised the award winners.

Zeynep Oral, President of PEN Türkiye Centre said in her speech, “Yes, we suffer, but we will never give up fighting against the bans. We are not afraid. We know that we are not alone as long as we stand up to all the injustice, pressure and violence, which intends to destroy our joy of life. We are strong and we believe the power of solidarity.”

Adnan Özyalçıner, President of Writers Syndicate of Türkiye said, “One-man management and one vision period is over. The books, thoughts and humans must be liberalized and accrued in the near future.”