The book ‘Unknown Prisoners’, in which journalist and author Cem Kar tells the story of 75 Turkish Cypriots’ journey from obscurity to being known, is meeting book lovers at the 30th International Istanbul Book Fair.
The book ‘Unknown Prisoners’ by journalist and author Cem Kar is among the works featured at the 30th International Istanbul Book Fair, which opened its doors to book lovers on November 12. Commenting on the book, which will be on display at the fair until November 20, Cem Kar said: “Interest in Turkey in our book and documentary, which tell the story of the disappearance of 75 Turkish Cypriots between the First Operation and the Second Operation, is growing day by day. It is truly a pleasure to be part of such an important international fair.” The book Unknown Prisoners went on sale simultaneously in Turkey and Cyprus on July 22.
75 TURKISH CYPRIOTS AND 11 JOURNALISTS: Written in a distinctive style, the book tells of the struggle to survive and be known faced by 75 Turkish Cypriots who were taken from their homes after the 1974 Peace Operation, as well as 11 journalists who came from Turkey to Cyprus during the same period and were taken captive. The journalists in question, who encountered the fighters during their days in captivity, obtained a list of their names from them and, after being freed, brought the list to the world’s attention, helping secure their release as well.
2 YEARS OF RESEARCH, MORE THAN 1500 MINUTES OF INTERVIEWS: The book and documentary, produced after a 2-year research process, drew on more than 1500 minutes of interviews with 57 people living in Turkey, Cyprus, England, and Australia, conducted at different times and places, and on documents from the period.