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Ayşe Kulin Turkey    PWF 2017

“A certain amount of pain helps us to mature. The more we suffer the more we learn to survive.”

The dictator’s bestselling opponent, Ayşe Kulin captivates the magical world of Turkish literature. Screenwriter, cinematographer, novelist—Kulin was born in 1941 in Istanbul.

Ayşe Kulin’s historical novels are page turners—love is redeemed as empires fall. In Face to Face, a conversation ensues between two lost friends posing as political enemies—who revive their childhood friendship by recalling the distant past.

“In those days there was no difference between a Turk and a Kurd, both were equally oppressed. The peasants used to say, ‘the Ottomans are never around when it’s time to sow or harvest but they’re sure to be there when it’s time to eat’.”

“The Turks and the Kurds spent centuries together. There is no way out other than reconciliation." 

Last Train to Istanbul, Ayşe Kulin’s most acclaimed novel, portrays the courageous work of the Turkish diplomats who risked their lives to save hundreds of Jews stranded in Europe. The novel received the European Council Jewish Community Best Novel Award.

“While terror keeps killing people, unchanging stagnant situations killed people’s souls. At the end of the day we all have to pay for our mistakes.” 

Ayşe Kulin’s work includes: Farewell, Rose of Sarajevo, Aylin, and Love in Exile.

Ayşe Kulin resides in Istanbul.