The Ankara Magazine Festival, hosted by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) and held for the first time at the Zafer Youth Academy on July 25–26, 2026, did not merely bring together magazines, authors, and readers from across Türkiye; it also served as a meeting point for cultural and literary figures from various countries.
Dr. Dilşat—an Iranian poet, author, psychologist, graphic designer, and university professor who attended the festival, where approximately 45 magazines set up stands—shared comprehensive insights on the event, noting that the organization represented a significant step forward for intercultural interaction.
Expressing great satisfaction with the festival’s atmosphere, Dr. Dilşat said, “Being in this cultural atmosphere and meeting fellow members of the literary community was a truly valuable and unforgettable experience for me.”
Publications that facilitate language learning should be increased
Dr. Dilşat, noting a special interest in language and culture stemming from her background as a researcher, stated that it would be beneficial for the festival to feature more publications specifically tailored to the needs of foreigners learning Turkish.
Expressing her hope to see books, comic books, and easy-to-read works—written in standard Istanbul Turkish and aimed at children and young people—Dr. Dilşat remarked that such publications would significantly help foreigners learn Turkish more quickly.
Emphasizing the need to make bilingual and multilingual magazines and newspapers more widely available so that foreigners living in Türkiye can communicate more effectively in their daily lives, Dr. Dilşat noted that this would strengthen both cultural interaction and social cohesion.
Turkey holds a significant opportunity for international cultural interaction
Noting that Türkiye serves as a natural bridge between East and West, Dr. Dilşat stated that the country welcomes visitors from many nations thanks to its historical and touristic richness.
Dr. Dilşat expressed that the presence of foreigners in Türkiye offers important opportunities not only for tourism but also for the development of cultural and social vitality, adding that access to information in various languages should be facilitated to strengthen international communication.
Highlighting the importance of fostering mutual understanding among cultures, Dr. Dilşat stated that supporting multilingual publishing and common languages—accessible to all and free from prejudice—would strengthen international relations.
Overcoming prejudice requires solidarity
Noting that he had the opportunity to meet many poets, writers, and cultural figures throughout the festival, Dr. Dilşat expressed his appreciation for the hospitality he received and stated that such events contribute to the establishment of lasting friendships between cultures.
Emphasizing the need to strengthen the spirit of solidarity and unity so that diverse societies in the modern world can better understand one another, Dr. Dilşat remarked that respect for international institutions and universal norms is not an obstacle to progress but rather a solid bridge facilitating the achievement of shared goals.
Recalling the significant role common languages of communication have played between societies throughout history—noting that French once fulfilled this role, English does so today, and other languages might serve a similar function in the future—Dr. Dilşat stated that the truly important factor is the development of effective communication tools that enable people to understand each other correctly.
Proposal for a multilingual festival
Dr. Dilşat also offered concrete suggestions for the Ankara Magazine Festival to adopt a more inclusive structure in the coming years.
Stating that adopting a multilingual and dynamic approach at such fairs and cultural events would foster closer ties between cultures, Dr. Dilşat added that this would make significant contributions to both the cultural promotion of Türkiye and the strengthening of international solidarity. (source:ankaranethaber.com)
