Founded in Istanbul in March 1992, Nubihar Publications has been a cornerstone of Kurdish literature and culture for over three decades. Just months after its inception, the first issue of Nubihar magazine – published entirely in Kurdish – hit the shelves in October 1992. Since then, Nubihar has consistently published and distributed books and magazines across 14 diverse categories, including history, classic and modern literature, Kurdology, folklore, and translation. As a testament to its enduring legacy, the 166th issue of Nubihar was published in March 2024, featuring an insightful dossier on social media usage.
Editor-in-chief Suleyman Cevik describes Nubihar Publications as a vital response to the challenges faced by the Kurdish language, culture, and history in Turkey, where public discrimination, ignorance, and assimilation all pose major threats. In our conversation with Cevik for Kurdistan Chronicle, we delve into the intricacies and history of Kurdish book and magazine publishing.
Cevik recounts the origins of their publishing house and the inception of the magazine: “We began our publishing journey in March 1992 with book releases. By October of that same year, we launched our monthly magazine, Nubihar. At its inception, Sabah Kara served as editor-in-chief alongside me. Our goal was to integrate both the book and magazine sectors. Over time, Ali Karadeniz, Selman Dilovan, and several other colleagues joined us. There were periods when the magazine staff consisted of just one person or a small team of two or three.”
“After three years, Kara relocated to Germany, but we persevered in producing the magazine without interruption. One of our dedicated team members handles layouts, while Berken Bereh oversees the poetry section. Due to economic reasons, we could never have the full professional staff that we should have had when publishing a magazine. The publishing house and the magazine required several people to work, and I received technical support, but there were also times when I was alone. But our team never exceeded three people,” Cevik says.
Promoting Kurdish literature
Since its inception in 1992, Nubihar magazine has proudly published content exclusively in Kurdish (Kurmanci and Zazaki), refusing to include texts in any other languages. Initially released monthly for eight years until 2000, the magazine only briefly halted publication in 2002 due to financial challenges. Its format has evolved, and now boasts an expanded page count of 96, up from the original 32.
According to Cevik, Nubihar has played a pivotal role in promoting literacy among its readership, with many individuals who began as readers eventually stepping into the role of writers. “When our magazine first launched, most letters we received were in Turkish, with only a handful written in Kurdish. Over time, however, the tide shifted; now, nearly all correspondence comes to us in Kurdish. The only exceptions are letters from prisons.”
“Today, as we sift through our emails, we find that they too are exclusively in Kurdish. Thanks to our publishing house and other Kurdish publishers, many Kurds have gained the ability to read and write in their own language. It’s important to clarify that I’m not referring to all Kurds, but specifically those who engage with the Kurdish language and have developed their literacy skills in Kurdish,” he says.
“In the past, our magazine operated on a monthly schedule, allowing us to publish timely articles. However, with the shift to a quarterly format, we pivoted away from current events and instead focused on more theoretical pieces that resonate across time. This change has fostered a vibrant community where many of our readers have evolved into contributors, with several of their works being published by Nubihar. Additionally, we have embraced linguistic diversity by featuring articles in the Sorani dialect,” Cevik notes.
“At our publishing house and magazine, we are dedicated to fostering and popularizing the Kurdish language,” he continues. “Our mission encompasses publishing new literature, integrating Kurdish into all facets of life, and advancing its use in scientific discourse. We strive to prepare texts and materials that support these goals. Additionally, our magazine serves as a proactive response to the challenges and prohibitions faced by the Kurds in Turkey, combating neglect and assimilation to preserve Kurdish language, culture, and history.”
Alongside Nubihar, the printing house publishes and distributes Nubihar Akademi, Turkey’s first peer-reviewed publication in Kurdish, which is issued twice a year and has released 20 issues to date. Each article undergoes a rigorous review process by expert referees before being published in both Kurdish and English. The editorial team comprises academics from Mardin Artuklu University, which further ensures its high-quality content.
The go-to publishing house for Kurdish literary classics
Nubihar stands out as a pioneering and enduring publishing house dedicated to Kurdish literature in Turkey. With a remarkable catalog of over 400 titles predominantly in Kurdish, Nubihar focuses on the rich tapestry of Kurdish language, history, literature, and folklore. In the past year alone, they have released more than 40 new books, with only four or five published in Turkish and the remaining in Kurdish.
When discussing Nubihar, one cannot overlook its commitment to preserving and promoting the classics of Kurdish literature, with the house having published roughly 20 significant works from renowned authors such as Melaye Ciziri, Ehmede Xani, Feqiye Teyran, Mela Huseyne Bateyi, and Sex Semsedine Exlati. Many of these works have been Latinized and annotated, with the modernized version printed alongside the original text. Additionally, some editions feature both Arabic and Latin scripts or include commentaries. Notably, a few classics are available in bilingual Kurdish-Turkish formats, further enriching their accessibility.
In an insightful discussion, Cevik details the meticulous process behind preparing these classic texts for publication: “As a publishing house, we draw on a wealth of knowledge and experience rooted in our history. Our team comprises experts skilled in reading and interpreting the manuscripts we acquire, ensuring they are primed for publication.”
“Our guiding principle is encapsulated in our slogan: ‘The bridge between yesterday and today’,” he says. “The madrasah tradition among Kurds spans over a millennium, persisting even through the establishment of the Republic. Although madrasahs faced prohibition under the Republic, Kurdish culture and knowledge continued to thrive within their walls. Today, several Kurdish books remain integral to the curriculum in these institutions, including titles like Nubihar, Mewlud, and Nechul Enam. Furthermore, divans have also been part of the educational offerings in madrasahs. In our role as a ‘conservative’ publishing house, we take pride in our connections with scholars of classical literature who are adept at crafting works in the Arabic script. Esteemed authors such as Xani, Mela, Bateyi, and Exlati have contributed to this rich tradition.”
“Our infrastructure enables us to delve into these ancient texts and prepare them for modern publication. Nubihar has emerged as a leader in this endeavor among contemporary publishing houses, and it is fair to assert that we excel in this niche. To date, we have published over 20 Kurdish classical works in high-quality editions, available in both Arabic and Latin scripts. Some of these titles have also been released in their original scripts alongside Turkish translations. In our recent publications, we proudly featured the divan of Mire Zirav, a work that stands as a classic. Additionally, we have released Eli Heriri’s divan, complete with insightful commentary,” Cevik explains.
“Looking ahead, we are excited to announce plans to publish Mele Seide Meczub’s works. Around 10 poems by Eli Heriri will also be included in our classics series. Furthermore, we have published 33 poems by Ehmede Xani – in addition to his renowned Mem u Zin – accompanied by thoughtful commentary, and we intend to incorporate these into our classics collection as well,” he notes.
In addition to its classic repertoire, Nubihar Publications has recently unveiled four comprehensive anthologies of dengbej (Performer of epic songs and reciter of epic stories): Sakiro, Reso, Huseyno, and Mehmude Hese. A fifth anthology is currently in preparation. This pioneering initiative aims to publish the complete works of approximately 20 dengbej artists, garnering significant attention and prompting a reprint due to popular demand.
Researchers Omer Gunes and Ibrahim Sahin are passionately dedicated to this endeavor. Rather than working from a desk, they immerse themselves in the field, visiting the homes of dengbej artists and speaking with their families, all to access invaluable recordings. They have established a home studio that allows them to transfer these tapes onto CDs. For instance, while Dengbej Sakiro boasts 140 songs on YouTube, the anthology published by Nubihar features around 270 songs.
Preserving Kurdish history
Nubihar Publications also plays a crucial role in bridging the gaps in Kurdish historical literature by publishing significant source works. Among these, researcher and author Nihat Karademir’s studies on the late Ottoman Empire stand out for their depth and insight.
While Muhammad Amin Zaki’s History of the Kurds and Kurdistan is well-known, Ibn al-Azraq al-Fariqi’s Tarihu Meyyafarikin, authored by a Kurd who passed away 840 years ago, was Nubihar’s first publication. This groundbreaking work was meticulously published in Arabic after Nubihar acquired two copies from London. The decision to release it in Arabic first aimed to ensure its entry into Arab literary circles. In 2023, the book was translated into Kurdish by Emin Narozi, making it the earliest history book written by a Kurd that can be read in Kurdish.
In significant cultural endeavor, Nubihar also brought the Hasankeyf Chronicle from the Royal Library in Vienna and published it in Arabic for the first time. This work joins the ranks of Tarihu Meyyafarikin, which also had not been previously available in Arabic – both works were only published in Syriac previously. Plans are underway to translate it into Kurdish as well. Another noteworthy addition to their collection is Serefname, authored by Serefhan Bitlisi in 1597, originally written in Farsi. Both volumes of Serefname have been translated into Turkish and published by Nubihar.
Together, these three texts form a vital chain of historical documentation, offering profound insights into Kurdish history spanning four centuries.
Current situation in Turkey and impact on Kurdish publishing
Publishing inherently presents its own set of issues, but publishing in Kurdish in Turkey involves overcoming a number of unique obstacles: “There’s a Turkish saying that can be roughly translated as: ‘Publishing neither revives nor kills.’ It serves both practical and prestige purposes,” Cevik says. “The individuals surrounding the publisher are typically knowledgeable, cultured, and level-headed. However, due to Kurdish not being recognized as a language of education in Turkey, submissions often come with substantial editorial challenges. This complicates the process of ensuring that articles are comprehensible and publication-ready.”
Reflecting on past experiences, Cevik notes a marked improvement in the quality of writing among those who have been engaged in Kurdish publishing for an extended period but highlights several pressing issues: “The economic difficulties are significant, but the challenges extend beyond that. State institutions often stifle rather than support progress. The prevailing structure in Turkey harbors a negative perception of Kurdish culture, leading to serious obstacles in distribution and sales. This extends to public displays and even the procurement of Kurdish literature by libraries,” he describes.
In the early days of the magazine, Cevik took it upon himself to distribute copies personally. Despite facing periods of poor sales, he remained undeterred, stating, “This is the situation anyway, and we are working to change it.”
His dedication and passion for the project have been unwavering throughout the years. He emphasizes that their commitment will persist, even amid challenging economic conditions: “The primary motivation behind our work is love and determination. We strive to persevere against all odds. Publishing in Turkey today is fraught with difficulties; rising paper and printing costs pose significant challenges,” he explains.
“Historically, Kurdish publishing has faced economic hardships. In previous years, we have navigated these obstacles through debt and sacrifice. Creating written works for our language and nation brings both joy and fulfillment, as does addressing topics that have long been overlooked. There is a unique satisfaction in crafting literature in our own language, shedding light on topics that have yet to be explored in print. Despite the challenges of publishing, it is heartening to hear from readers who say, ‘I learned to read Kurdish from your magazine; I was once just a reader, and now I’m contributing as a writer.’ Witnessing this transformation is one of the greatest rewards of our work,” Cevik shares.
Who is Suleyman Cevik?
Suleyman Cevik, born in 1965 in a village within the Cermik district of Diyarbakir, has made significant contributions to Kurdish publishing. He completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in Mardin, where he excelled as a licensed long-distance runner and participated in track and field events. In 1984, he moved to Istanbul and enrolled at Marmara University Press School – now known as the Faculty of Communications – graduating in 1989. Since joining Nubihar Publications, Cevik has been a pivotal figure in Kurdish literature. Notably, he became the first – and remains the only – recipient of a turquoise press card (formerly yellow) from the Turkish Presidency for a Kurdish publication, achieving this milestone 18 years after his initial application.
Mevlüt Oğuz is a journalist, poet, and activist working in the fields of civil society, culture, and the arts. He is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Kurdish PEN affiliated to International PEN, and the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD).
