Nobel literature laureate Orhan Pamuk arrived back in Istanbul late Wednesday after traveling to Stockholm to receive his 2006 prize, greeting reporters at Atatürk Airport.
Pamuk told journalists the honor belonged to more than himself alone, saying he accepted it on behalf of Turkish culture and language. He described delivering his acceptance speech in Turkish as a particular pleasure, noting that its personal subject matter, centered on a suitcase left to him by his father, drew warm responses both in Türkiye and internationally.
The author said he had also read an English version of the speech for the BBC, estimating the broadcast would reach an audience of 160 million. He added that major newspapers and magazines would be publishing the text under permission from the Nobel Foundation.
Pamuk said he was proud to bring the prize to Türkiye for the first time, calling it an achievement he wished to share with his country. Airport well-wishers greeted him with applause and flowers, with many photographing him on their mobile phones.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in December 2006, in its own words.