Pamuk Signs Kurdish Translation Of His Book For His Readers

DIYARBAKIR (A.A) - 31.05.2002 - Author Orhan Pamuk attended a meeting entitled ''Intercultural Relations in Literature'' in Diyarbakir on Thursday where he came to promote the Kurdish translation of his book ''Benim Adim Kirmizi'' (My Name is Red).
At the meeting which is organized as part of the Diyarbakir Second Art and Culture Festival, Pamuk said that every time he visits Diyarbakir, he is scared of saying something that could be misinterpreted, but still he can't help coming to this place over and over again. He also said that he doesn't feel so much at home in any other place.
Pamuk said that publishing his book in the Kurdish language should not be considered an abnormal situation. Claiming that the Kurdish language has been oppressed, he said ''This situation has always been a source of shame for us towards Europe and to all the world.''
Later, Pamuk compared poets and novelists. ''God whispers things to the poets' ears and they write. He doesn't whisper anything to the novelists' ears. We write by thinking what he would have told us if he whispered to our ears also.''
After the meeting, Pamuk signed ''Nave min Sore'', the Kurdish translation of ''Benim Adim Kirmizi'' for his readers.