This year’s Kibatek 40 Literary festival will be held in Dubai from June 1-4, 2016.

 

 

By Amy Barry

 

 

It will be an opportunity to showcase Dubai, providing a fascinating glimpse into this city of dreams.

The launch marks another significant stage in Kibatek’s continued progression and contribution to the literary world in this region.

I had the pleasure of working alongside this year’s organisers –

Leyla Isik, Kibatek Vice-President and International Project Coordinator and, Project Coordinator Anca Mihaela Bruma.

 

I met both ladies at the Kibatek 39 Literary Festival in Taranto.

 

 

Leyla Isik

 

Leyla is inspirational with a fighting spirit who continues to take on the challenge of promoting Kibatek and helping others. She shares her love, caring and compassion. With a good sense of humor and fun, Leyla is remarkable and passionate. I admire her creativity and hard work.

 

 

Anca Mihaela Bruma

 

Anca is one of the rare gems I have met. She was my roommate in Taranto and survives with little sleep, preferring to stay awake and work. She has a huge appetite for challenges and for making the most of all opportunities. We have collaborated the last four years.

 

 

 

KIBATEK, a Turkish Literary Foundation, was founded in 1998.

With an initial participation of 12 countries consisting of poets,

writers, translators and scholars it has expanded. Now 18 years on, KIBATEK has 47 countries participating from:

Cyprus, Romania, Germany, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Macedonia, Kosovo, Hungary, Azerbaijan, England, Scotland, Australia, Iraq, Iran, Greece, Moldova, Belgium, Crimea, Russia, Tatarstan, Albania, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, South Korea, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia, Denmark, Ukraine, Tuva, Afghanistan, Canada, Philippines, Italy, Jordan China (Uighurs), İndia, Montenegro, Syria, Ireland, Chile, and the Arab Emirates.

 

 

 

Kibatek’s mission is to build bridges between East and West in the literary world. It has signed international events in Balkans, Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Central Asia and Australia.

 

 

 

Kibatek works closely with each country as they look to assume coordinators or organisers’ roles in their own country and to maintain and sustain the goals and strategies of Kibatek.

I have relished some fabulous friendships at Kibatek. I am also privileged to have met really inspirational people. I am delighted to be a part of this event.

 

@amybarry 2016