Turkish literary works translated into 61 languages

By Burcu Calik

ANKARA

A total of 2,696 Turkish works of literature, art and culture have been translated into 61 different languages over the past 13 years, according to the country's culture and tourism ministry figures.

The works were translated as part of a major project called TEDA intended to “foster the publication of Turkish literature as well as works about Turkish art and culture in languages other than Turkish.”

The project, which was launched in 2005, “allows foreign readers to access Turkish literature, and as well as the opportunity to read about Turkey’s vast cultural wealth, in their own respective languages”, according to the ministry.

In order to make foreigners read Turkish works in their native languages, the ministry provides subventions to international institutions, enterprises, companies, foundations and publishing firms in order to publish the books.

The ministry provided 23.6 million Turkish liras ($4,349 million) subventions to 590 publishing houses from 72 countries for the works of 624 Turkish authors as part of the project, according to the figures.

A total of 2,108 out of 2,696 Turkish works have been published as of November this year, the figures show.