By: Team VoW
Turkey’s Ambassador to India, Firat Sunel, recently engaged in a heart-to-heart conversation with renowned author of children’s books Ratna Manucha on Day One of the Valley of Words Literature and Arts Festival 2024. The ambassador discussed his enticing yet heartbreaking book, The Lighthouse Family, a work of historical fiction. This insightful dialogue delved into the profound cultural similarities between Turkey and Greece, exploring their shared linguistic heritage of nearly 9,000 common words.
Another discussion highlight was Ambassador Sunel’s rendition of a lullaby, underscoring the significance of childhood memories and the power of storytelling. He emphasized the delicate art of translating the soul of words, revealing how different cultures express emotions in unique ways. For instance, the concept of death is conveyed with nuanced sensitivity, as in Turkish culture, the passing of a mother is often expressed as “She’s an angel now.”
Ambassador Sunel shared an intriguing anecdote about how even though he primarily writes and thinks in Turkish, sometimes his dreams centre around work, and unfold in English. This made the audience chuckle and illustrated how this linguistic duality offers a glimpse into the intricate interplay of languages in his creative process.
Through “The Lighthouse Family,” Ambassador Sunel invited readers of the session to embark on a journey through his personal history, exploring the enduring bonds of family and the transformative power of memory.
The Valley of Words, Literature and Arts festival is hosting its 8th Edition at Dehradun. The two day event will end with a Valedictory ceremony where its eight authors will be felicitated.
