Orhan Pamuk in Iran

Orhan Pamuk, the Turkish writer who was already famous and popular in Iran before receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature, has traveled to Tehran for the second time. This visit coincides with the 31st Tehran International Book Fair, an event that also prompted Pamuk's first trip to Iran in the early 2000s. However, this second trip has provided an opportunity for Pamuk to hold a press conference with journalists in Iran and answer their questions, a meeting that took place on Wednesday, May 8, at the Niavaran Cultural Complex. According to ISNA news agency, Mr. Pamuk, referring to his global popularity that has led to his books being translated into over 60 languages, stated, "But when I come to Iran, it feels like my homeland, and being in Tehran is enjoyable for me." Pamuk has previously acknowledged the profound impact of classical Persian literature on him, which is reflected in some of his books. He mentioned, "Some of my Iranian friends consider the novel 'My Name is Red' more Iranian than Turkish because it discusses Iran and Iranian miniatures... 'The Black Book' is also influenced by Attar's 'Conference of the Birds' but written in a post-modern novel format." Pamuk also expressed his affection for Iranian culture, stating, "My interest is bookish, and the works I have read from Iran are the primary reason for this. Another reason is the acceptance of Iranian culture, as being influenced by Western culture is not a bad thing; we just shouldn't lose our position, and this dilemma is a difficult one. I respect Iran's identity because this country has preserved its identity, and the continuity of culture is evident here. Wherever you encounter Iranians in the world, they recite a couplet of poetry at the end of their conversations. I wish we Turks could at least recite these couplets too." However, it seems that Pamuk also has his own issues with Iran, particularly the censorship of books, which has affected his works as well. He stated, "No writer wants even a single word of their book to be removed, but there is a dilemma here that one does not know what to do. On one hand, you want your book to be published, and on the other hand, you face censorship. If I express my views on this matter in any way, will anyone pay attention?" Another issue Pamuk has with Iran is the lack of copyright enforcement, which allows some Iranian translators to publish his works in Iran without permission or coordination with the author and foreign publisher. He expressed, "When my books are translated or published in Iran in Persian, it gives me double joy, but I also have dissatisfaction. I would like my books to be published systematically, with my permission, accurately, in a collection, perhaps by a publisher like Mr. [Arsalan] Fasihi." Some of Pamuk's books have been translated into Persian by multiple translators, such as 'The White Castle,' which has at least three Persian translations. One of them was translated by Arsalan Fasihi from Turkish to Persian, a figure now recognized as Pamuk's main translator, who also accompanies him on this trip. Fasihi has also translated Pamuk's novels 'New Life' and 'Judit Bey and Sons' into Persian, but his translation of 'My Name is Red' has faced censorship issues for years, while another translation of this work is available in the Iranian book market. 'My Name is Red' is one of Orhan Pamuk's important works that was published eight years before he received the Nobel Prize. Pamuk won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006 at the age of 54, making him one of the youngest writers to receive this award.