Renowned Turkish novelist Selim İleri passes away at 75

Duvar English

Turkey’s renowned novelist Selim İleri on Jan. 8 passed away at the age of 75.

İleri was suffering from some health problems for a while. He was hospitalized in the morning hours on Jan. 8. 

In a statement, the Culture Ministry said, “It is with deep sorrow that we learned of the passing of Selim İleri, one of the master writers of our literature, who made unique contributions to our literature and art world with his identity as a writer, screenwriter, and critic. We wish God's mercy to the deceased and our condolences to his family, his loved ones, and our literary community.”

His funeral ceremony was held on Jan. 10 at Atatürk Cultural Center.

İleri was born on April 30, 1949, in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district. He published his first story book Cumartesi Yalnızlığı (“Saturday Loneliness”) at the age of 19. 

He has been one of the prolific writers of contemporary Turkish literature since the 1970s, writing in different genres of literature such as novels, stories, poetry, essays, theater, memoirs, and reviews.

During the early steps in his career, he received the Sait Faik Story Prize for Dostlukların Son Günü (“The Last Day of Friendships”) in 1976, and the Turkish Language Association’s Novel Prize for Her Gece Bodrum (“Bodrum Every Night”) in 1977.

His screenplay Kırık Bir Aşk Hikayesi (“A Broken Love Story”) received the best screenplay of the 1982-83 season by the Cinema Writers. The movie was directed by Ömer Kavur and shot in Balıkesir's Ayvalık district.

His novel Mavi Kanatlarınla Yalnız Benim Olsaydın (“If You Were Only Mine with Your Blue Wings”) received the Writers' Union of Turkey Novel Award in the early 1990s.

İleri had a unique nostalgic and melancholic language, often connecting with Istanbul’s past and lifestyle.