Turkey bookfair hit by national
economic crisis

IZMIR, Turkey — Scripture sales at the annual bookfair held in Izmir dropped to an all-time low this year due to the economic crisis in Turkey. Only 24 Bibles, 200 New Testaments, 54 Portions and 10 Scripture videos and CDs were sold and 6,000 Selections distributed – a significant drop compared to sales figures in previous years.

The Turkish lira went into freefall in late February following a government decision to scrap a currency control policy put in place as part of a rescue plan backed by the International Monetary Fund, following a banking crisis in November. The currency devalued by 38 per cent against the dollar (Please see Latest News 139 or World Report 359/18.)

Welcomed

Opening the fair, Ahmet Pristina, Mayor of Izmir, welcomed exhibitors but reminded them that the ailing economy would take its toll on book sales.

“During this economic crisis you may not sell many books but your presence here will contribute to culture and encourage people to love books,” he said.

Although unable to afford to buy many Scriptures, Christians crowded to the Bible Society stand, delighted to see the Bible displayed so openly, while non-Christians came to ask questions about the Bible.

One man told Bible Society staff that he had just been released from prison after a five-year sentence for political activities. Staff spoke to him for a long time and invited him to attend church. He did so and returned to the stand the next day.

Harmony

“There was a wonderful harmony among members of the church,” he told staff. “Everyone was smiling and happy and showed concern for me. I was deeply touched – I have never felt so happy and will now attend church every Sunday.”

Staff also had an interesting encounter with a woman who had attended the fair the previous year. She said that although she was not a Christian she had bought a New Testament from the Bible Society stand.