Two books by Western Thrace authors
"Contemporary Greek Story"
Esma D. Hasan's book, "Contemporary Greek Story," translated from Greek, has been published as part of the Hece Publications' anthology series. The book features the works and lives of 15 authors who have shaped the narrative tradition of modern Greek literature, from the Greek War of Independence to the present day.
The book offers a brief introduction to contemporary Greek literature, followed by a collection of stories that showcase the literary reflections of Greece's history. Through a diverse range of narrative styles and characters, readers can explore the social and cultural contexts of the periods in which these stories were written, providing new and exciting literary experiences.
Hece Publications praised the work, stating, "Contemporary Greek poetry and prose are rich in content, with significant contributions up until the late twentieth century. While there was a decline in poetry production, prose saw an unexpected rise, particularly after the 1980s."
"Contemporary Stories of Western Thrace Turks"
Hüseyin Mehmet's book, "Contemporary Stories of Western Thrace Turks," also published by Hece Publications, traces the literary and narrative journey of the Western Thrace Turkish community over the last century. Featuring 22 storytellers, the book includes both established and emerging authors who are deeply connected to the Turkish literary tradition, offering inspiration for future writers.
Hece Publications highlighted the significance of Mehmet's work, noting, "In recent years, the short story genre within Western Thrace Turkish literature has seen a remarkable rise. Given the limited educational opportunities and the cultural suppression faced by the small Turkish community in Western Thrace, the progress in short story writing is a hopeful development. The stories, often written in high-quality Turkish, predominantly focus on social issues and the struggles of those affected by societal structures, similar to the themes found in poetry."
