A bookstore dedicated to the city of Istanbul
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Gül Tüysüz
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 31, 2008 00:00
Istanbul Kitapçısı offers a wide variety of choices for those who are looking for a place to buy a book about the city, whether it is a simple guidebook, a cookbook dedicated to Istanbul cuisine, or a historical account of the great fires of 1782 that burned down most of the city
Musa Atalay, 30, is a municipality employee. He sits in a meticulously clean office with fake leather and laminate office furniture, but no bookshelves, drinking tea. A step beyond his door, however, is a world full of knowledge, history and beauty.Â
Atalay is the manager of the Istanbul Kitapçısı, an expansive bookstore dedicated to the city that lends the store its name. Istanbul Kitapçısı, run by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, is located, naturally, on Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoğlu. This bookstore, a tribute to the city, caters for all types of people who are interested in Istanbul with over 7,000 book titles that range from the most basic guide books, to historical piping data, to accounts of famous Istanbul families. There is also non-written material available in the form of Istanbul-themed albums and DVDs that line the shelves of the digital section. There is an obligatory smattering of souvenirs throughout the store, from touristy knick-knacks to tasteful artisan crafts.
A library on Istanbul
"You can think of this as a library on Istanbul," said Atalay, who is in charge of choosing the books that will be sold in the store. "This place was not designed as a profit making store so the prices are very reasonable. Our price policy is not one of profit, we offer quality items at affordable prices," Atalay said.
The idea originated with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, then the mayor of Istanbul. It was to be a place were municipality publications and research was to be made available to the public. The idea materialized and Atalay said it was the first and only municipality bookstore dedicated to a city.
’No such city like Istanbul’
Surrounded by books dedicated to Istanbul, he still enjoys the occasional excursion around Istanbul for work. "I sometimes get on a boat to go to Kadıköy. I rarely go by boat because I live and work on the European side of the city. I get to see Istanbul again and I remember why I do what I do because there is no city like Istanbul. It is a true treasure," Atalay said after a recent trip to the Anatolian side for a planned new store. In addition to the three existing branches, Atalay is currently working on opening two more bookstores, one in Kadıköy and the other at the Republic Museum on Istiklal Caddesi that opened earlier this month. Expansion for Istanbul Kitapçısı is not just about new locations, but also about new books and materials on offer. "We are constantly expanding. Two years ago we had 5,000 titles, this year we have 7,000," Atalay said. "I keep a good eye on what is coming out. I follow the market closely," he said and proudly pulled out copies of books that were either out of print or sold at much higher prices at other bookstores. "Istanbul Kitapçısı is even more important now. We have a lot of opportunities with Istanbul being the European Culture Capital for 2010 and we have to make good use of that," he said.
For most Istanbul residents the bookstore has remained a mystery to them for much of the decade it has been open. "I did not go in. You know, it was just the municipality’s place. But then I learned it was an actual bookstore for people who are not just into research. You can also buy postcards," said a passerby who declined to give her name. Atalay said, "Until now, we have been thought of as anything but a bookstore, but now people know this is the place to buy books about Istanbul."
If you are looking for a place to buy a book on the city, whether it is a simple guidebook, a cookbook dedicated to Istanbul cuisine, or a historical account of the great fires of 1782 that burned down most of the city, Istanbul Kitapçısı is a wonderful resource. Do not let the somewhat formal atmosphere put you off from going in and taking a look. The worst that can happen is a couple of liras are spent on a fridge magnet or gift cards that feature Istanbul.
Atalay is the manager of the Istanbul Kitapçısı, an expansive bookstore dedicated to the city that lends the store its name. Istanbul Kitapçısı, run by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, is located, naturally, on Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoğlu. This bookstore, a tribute to the city, caters for all types of people who are interested in Istanbul with over 7,000 book titles that range from the most basic guide books, to historical piping data, to accounts of famous Istanbul families. There is also non-written material available in the form of Istanbul-themed albums and DVDs that line the shelves of the digital section. There is an obligatory smattering of souvenirs throughout the store, from touristy knick-knacks to tasteful artisan crafts.
A library on Istanbul
"You can think of this as a library on Istanbul," said Atalay, who is in charge of choosing the books that will be sold in the store. "This place was not designed as a profit making store so the prices are very reasonable. Our price policy is not one of profit, we offer quality items at affordable prices," Atalay said.
The idea originated with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, then the mayor of Istanbul. It was to be a place were municipality publications and research was to be made available to the public. The idea materialized and Atalay said it was the first and only municipality bookstore dedicated to a city.
’No such city like Istanbul’
Surrounded by books dedicated to Istanbul, he still enjoys the occasional excursion around Istanbul for work. "I sometimes get on a boat to go to Kadıköy. I rarely go by boat because I live and work on the European side of the city. I get to see Istanbul again and I remember why I do what I do because there is no city like Istanbul. It is a true treasure," Atalay said after a recent trip to the Anatolian side for a planned new store. In addition to the three existing branches, Atalay is currently working on opening two more bookstores, one in Kadıköy and the other at the Republic Museum on Istiklal Caddesi that opened earlier this month. Expansion for Istanbul Kitapçısı is not just about new locations, but also about new books and materials on offer. "We are constantly expanding. Two years ago we had 5,000 titles, this year we have 7,000," Atalay said. "I keep a good eye on what is coming out. I follow the market closely," he said and proudly pulled out copies of books that were either out of print or sold at much higher prices at other bookstores. "Istanbul Kitapçısı is even more important now. We have a lot of opportunities with Istanbul being the European Culture Capital for 2010 and we have to make good use of that," he said.
For most Istanbul residents the bookstore has remained a mystery to them for much of the decade it has been open. "I did not go in. You know, it was just the municipality’s place. But then I learned it was an actual bookstore for people who are not just into research. You can also buy postcards," said a passerby who declined to give her name. Atalay said, "Until now, we have been thought of as anything but a bookstore, but now people know this is the place to buy books about Istanbul."
If you are looking for a place to buy a book on the city, whether it is a simple guidebook, a cookbook dedicated to Istanbul cuisine, or a historical account of the great fires of 1782 that burned down most of the city, Istanbul Kitapçısı is a wonderful resource. Do not let the somewhat formal atmosphere put you off from going in and taking a look. The worst that can happen is a couple of liras are spent on a fridge magnet or gift cards that feature Istanbul.