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Spanning 14,346 km2, Kahramanmaraş sits in Southern Türkiye as a vital bridge between Anatolia and Mesopotamia.

In Maraş, nestled in Southern Türkiye, literature lives not only on the pages of books but in the very streets of the city and the character of its people.

For Kahramanmaraş, literature is not merely a heritage of the past, but the most defining living character of this vibrant corner of Türkiye.

Kahramanmaraş proudly carries its 13,000-year-old heritage and its officially registered title as a “UNESCO City of Literature.”

The oldest written records are Neo-Assyrian texts from the 9th century BC, referring to the city as “Markasi,” the capital of the Gurgum Kingdom.

To transform Kahramanmaraş into a globally recognized “World Capital of Literature” by merging its deep-rooted literary heritage with modern creativity,

The UNESCO City of Literature designation is a prestigious mark of excellence, identifying cities that place the power of language and storytelling at the heart of their urban identity.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004 to foster international cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.

Kahramanmaraş continues to engage its community through a diverse calendar of events, reflecting its status as a UNESCO City of Literature.

On Wednesday, 22 April, the city hosts a discussion titled “Addressing the Heart” (Kalbe Seslenmek) with Duran Boz, marking another chapter in its vibrant cultural calendar.

As part of its ongoing cultural journey as a UNESCO City of Literature, Kahramanmaraş will host a special book analysis and discussion programme dedicated to the works of Alev Alatlı, one of the most significant figures in Turkish literature and thought. The event will take place on Saturday, 2 May. This programme offers a deep …

Kahramanmaraş continues to celebrate its identity as a UNESCO City of Literature with the latest installment of the “Yalnız Ardıç Dialogues.” On Saturday, 25 April, the city will host an in-depth discussion on the life and legacy of Kemal Tahir, one of the most influential figures in Turkish literature. The event, held at the TDV …

As part of its ongoing commitment to bringing cultural and artistic activities to all segments of society, the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality continues to celebrate the city’s identity as a UNESCO City of Literature. Today, May 2, 2026, the historic and humorous figure of Nasreddin Hodja takes the stage, offering a bridge between the wisdom of …

The Wonju City of Literature in South Korea is officially calling for applications for its 2026 residency program. Set at the renowned Toji Cultural Centre, this international initiative invites writers from across the UNESCO Cities of Literature Network to embark on an eight-week creative journey from September 1 to October 31. Designed to strengthen the …

In a bold step towards fostering social innovation and youth-led change, the Social Impact Challenge ’26 has officially launched under the leadership of the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality. Coordinated by the Social Entrepreneurship Centre (SOGEM), the program invites university student communities to develop projects that transform creative ideas into tangible social benefits. The challenge is designed …

As part of its vibrant cultural calendar, the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality recently hosted a specialized reading and analysis program dedicated to the late Alev Alatlı, one of Türkiye’s most influential contemporary thinkers. Organized by the municipality’s youth initiative, Pusula Maraş, the event transformed the historic Köker Mansion into a hub for critical thinking and literary …