Born on 20 April 1923 in Istanbul Oktay Akbal, a prominent figure in Turkish literature and press, passed away at the age of 92 in the hospital where he had been receiving treatment.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of the great writer Oktay Akbal. We offer our condolences, and may he rest in peace.

Who is Oktay Akbal?

Born in Istanbul on 20 April 1923, Oktay Akbal first attended Saint Benoit French Lycee in Kumkapı and completed his secondary education in 1942 in Istiklal College. He studied in Istanbul University Law (1944) and Literature (1946) faculties but he did not graduate.  

He worked as a secretary for Servet-i Fünun Uyanış magazine in 1943 and 1944, and as a civil servant for Ministry of National Education Translation Bureau between 1947-1951. His translations and stories were published in Yeni Sabah and Ikdam newspapers in 1939 and 1940. Oktay Akbal wrote reviews for Vakit newspaper between 1944-1946, and became a columnist in 1956. He wrote columns for  Hürriyet (1985), Milliyet and Cumhuriyet newspapers, respectively.

Setting off from his childhood memories and considering urbanites, Oktay Akbal wrote dramatic stories. His book Önce Ekmekler Bozuldu (First the Bread was Spoiled) was published in 1946. In 1949, Aşksız İnsanlar (Loveless People) followed.

His novels Garipler Sokağı (Street of the Poor) and Bizans Definesi (Byzantine Treasure) were translated into Russian, and Dondurmalı Sinema (Movie Theater with Ice-cream) into Serbian language. His book Suçumuz İnsan Olmak (Our crime is to be Human) was adapted to cinema by director Erdoğan Tokatlı in 1986.

His Works:

Akşam Kuşları (Evening Birds)

Aşksız İnsanlar (Loveless People)

Batık Bir Gemi ( A Sunken Ship)

Berber Aynası (Hairdresser's Mirror)

Düş Ekmeği (Bread of Dream)

Garipler Sokağı (Street of the Poor)

Önce Ekmekler Bozuldu (First the Bread was Spoiled)

Suçumuz İnsan Olmak (Our crime is to be Human)

Dondurmalı Sinema (Movie Theater with Ice-cream)

Bir de Simit Ağacı Olsaydı (If only we had Bagel Tree)

Ölümsüz Oyun (Immortal Game)

Dost Kitapları (Friend Books)

Geçmişin İçinden (Through the Past)

Kanatlı Sözler Uçar mı? (Do words with wings fly?)

Konumuz Edebiyat (Our subject: Literature)

Senin Adın Aşk (Your name is Love)

Temmuz Serçesi (July Sparrow)

Zaman Sensin (You are the Time)