Avesta Publishing House Wins AAP Freedom to Publish Award
The AAP announced Wednesday that Avesta was this year’s recipient of the award, which honors a non-U.S. publisher for “courage and fortitude in defending freedom of expression.”
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Avesta Publishing House, a publisher known for its work promoting Kurdish literature and culture despite years of government pressure, has received the International Freedom to Publish Award from the Association of American Publishers (AAP).
The AAP announced Wednesday that Avesta was this year’s recipient of the award, which honors a non-U.S. publisher for “courage and fortitude in defending freedom of expression.” The Istanbul-based publisher previously received the award in 2005.
“AAP first recognized Avesta’s extraordinary contributions a little over 20 years ago and despite continuous threats and intimidation since that time their commitment to publishing has only grown stronger,” AAP President and CEO Maria A. Pallante said.
Founded in 1995 by Abdullah Keskin, Avesta Publishing House has published hundreds of books in several languages, with many focusing on Kurdish culture, history and literature. The publisher has faced various forms of pressure, including the burning of one of its warehouses, book bans and a temporary blocking of its website.
In 2023, Turkish authorities labeled Avesta’s website as “terrorist propaganda,” according to the Associated Press.
“Receiving AAP’s Freedom to Publish Award for the second time provides an enormous boost to our mission of encouraging Kurdish literature, research and culture,” Keskin said, adding that the recognition would help illuminate the publisher’s way forward.
Kurds are Turkey’s largest ethnic minority and have for decades campaigned for greater cultural and linguistic rights, including broader use of the Kurdish language in education and public services.
The award comes amid developments in Turkey’s long-running conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The group announced last year that it would end its armed insurgency and disband, while Turkish authorities have since moved toward legislation offering pardons to Kurdish militants who meet conditions related to disarmament and dissolution.
An Avesta spokesperson said the publisher had not yet seen changes in the Turkish government’s treatment of it but expressed hope that the situation would improve.
The AAP established its International Freedom to Publish Award in 2002. Previous recipients include Venezuela-based Editorial Dahbar and Hong Kong-based publisher and bookseller Gui Minhai.