Orhan Pamuk (born June 7, 1952, in Istanbul) is a Turkish writer and the Nobel Laureate in Literature for 2006. Recognized as one of the most significant contemporary Turkish authors, Pamuk’s novels blend elements of realism with a rich tapestry of Eastern and Western literary traditions.

Pamuk was born into a wealthy, secular family and grew up in the Istanbul neighborhood of Nişantaşı, which frequently appears in his works. He initially studied architecture at Istanbul Technical University but left after three years to pursue writing, a profession he has followed since the age of 23. He later earned a degree from the Journalism Institute at Istanbul University.

He made his debut with the novel Dževdet Bey and His Sons (1982), which brought him national acclaim. International fame came with his novel Snow (2002), which explores themes of conflict between tradition and modernity and religious differences in Turkey. His most famous work, My Name is Red (1998), is a complex tale of love, art, and politics set in the 16th-century Ottoman Empire. This book has won numerous international awards and has been translated into several languages. It also serves as the basis for the opera I Am Şeküre, which will be showcased at the Teatr Wielki im. Stanisława Moniuszki just a day before the meeting with Pamuk.

Pamuk’s style is characterized by a deep immersion in Turkish culture while remaining open to Western influences. His work often addresses themes of identity, memory, and history, as well as tensions between East and West. Pamuk is also known for his bold statements on Turkish politics and history, which have occasionally led to legal troubles in his home country. In 2005, he faced charges for remarks about the Armenian and Kurdish massacres, although the charges were eventually dropped.

In addition to his novels, Pamuk has written essayistic works such as Istanbul: Memories and the City (2003), which reflects on the history and culture of his hometown. In 2006, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his “search for the melancholic soul of his city.” His work has become a voice for modern Turkey, balancing tradition with contemporary issues, and East with West.

Pamuk is also a professor at Columbia University in New York, where he teaches world literature.

The discussion with the author will be moderated by:

Michał Nogaś – A journalist, publicist, and literary critic known for his work in the media, particularly in cultural journalism. Nogaś has been associated with Radio Trójka, where he hosted shows about books, interviews with authors, and covered major literary events both in Poland and abroad. After a few years away, he returned to Radio Trójka and became its deputy director. He has also collaborated with Gazeta Wyborcza, Tygodnik Powszechny, and Radio Nowy Świat. In 2020, his book Z niejednej półki was published, a collection of interviews with writers from around the world, including Margaret Atwood, Svetlana Alexievich, Olga Tokarczuk, Mario Vargas Llosa, Dorota Masłowska, and Wiesław Myśliwski.