Literature in the Age of Migration: On Orhan Pamuk, Yaşar Kemal, and What Their Novels Tell Us About Contemporary Turkish Society

In this thought-provoking episode of Across Borders, we sit down with Dr. Cahit Bakır, Assistant Professor at Marmara University and an expert in English and postcolonial literature, to explore how fiction becomes a powerful lens for understanding the complexities of modern Turkey.

Drawing from Dr. Bakır’s personal journey—from growing up in eastern Turkey to studying in Ankara, Istanbul, and Canada—we delve into major themes such as:

- internal migration and Kurdish identity, 
- Istanbul as a literary and symbolic city,
- the social insight embedded in the works of Orhan Pamuk and Yaşar Kemal,
- conservatism and postmodernism in Turkish society,
- and the role of literature as a vehicle for critical thought.

Whether you’re passionate about literature, migration, or contemporary social issues, this episode offers rich insights into how stories shape the way we see nations and ourselves.

Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear your reflections on the themes discussed!

Want to learn more about Dr. Cahit Bakır’s academic work? Visit his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cahit-bakir-158ab178/

👉 Curious to explore more on migration studies and transnational mobility? Check out co-host Anatolie Cosciug’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatolie-cosciug-6238a4135/?originalSubdomain=ro

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction 
00:04:30 - Cities of Turkey – Identity and Contrast
00:10:00 - Language, Identity, and Bilingualism in Eastern Turkey
00:14:00 - The Role of Literature in Understanding Turkish Society
00:22:00 - Education, Academic Mobility, and a Global Perspective