Kıraathane marks James Baldwin’s 100th anniversary
Istanbul played a significant role in enabling Baldwin to see himself as a black queer writer. His legacy will undoubtedly contribute to the conversation on how people in Turkey can reimagine their values in the future.
13.05.2024
Istanbul held a special significance in James Baldwin’s life, and Kıraathane made sure to commemorate his centenary in the city he deeply cherished. Author Karin Karakaşlı joined Kırathane’s writer-in-residence, writer-filmmaker, and Conversations with Baldwin curator Heather Marks to discuss the novel Another Country, which Baldwin partially wrote during his time in Istanbul. Baldwin was a vocal and passionate advocate for civil rights for black Americans and strongly condemned discrimination against gay people. Today, he is celebrated by both the black and the queer community across the world. According to Marks and Karakaşlı, one of Another Country’s significant achievements is its portrayal of the intersectionality between race and sexuality. The brilliance of Baldwin’s writing lies not only in the poetic nature of his prose, but also in his exceptional wit and unwavering honesty.
Kıraathane organized several events in May to promote queer art and address the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month events are virtually prohibited in Turkey, and there are very few spaces where LGBTQ+ activists can come together and connect with each other. Under the government’s pressure, leading universities and cultural institutions in Turkey, including those owned by private corporations, have either taken an anti-queer stance or disengaged from publicly supporting the LGBTQ+ community. However, Baldwin’s advocacy and writing continue to be a source of inspiration for readers in Turkey. Istanbul played a significant role in enabling Baldwin to see himself as a black queer writer. His legacy will undoubtedly contribute to the conversation on how people in Turkey can reimagine their identities and values in the future. The video of the discussion will soon be available on Kıraathane’s YouTube channel.