Ötüken Publishing

Founding Process and Early Years

Ötüken Publishing was established in 1964 in Şehzadebaşı, Istanbul, through the initiative of a group of young university students. Among the pioneering figures of this initiative were Mehmet Niyazi Özdemir and Nevzat Kösoğlu. The primary aim in founding the publishing house was to serve the nationalist ideology on a cultural level. The initial steps took shape around Kitabevi; it expanded with the participation of Ahmet Nuri Yüksel, Özer Ravanoğlu, Fehim Üçışık and Ahmet İyioldu staff.

Although Peyami Safa’s novel Yalnızız was originally considered as the first publication, following Nevzat Kösoğlu’s suggestion, it could not be printed due to copyright issues. Instead, the publishing house began its activities with the publication of Necip Fazıl Kısakürek’s play Reis Bey. The name of the publishing house was determined as “Ötüken”, on the proposal of Sevgi Babaoğlu, in recognition of its symbolic importance in Turkish culture history.

Editorial Direction and Work Profile

From its founding, Ötüken Neşriyat adopted a publishing policy grounded in Turkish-Islamic thought, national culture and classical texts. Works by Necip Fazıl Kısakürek, Peyami Safa and Sezai Karakoç such as important were among the first publications of the house. From the 1960s onward, the publishing house grew steadily through both copyright acquisitions and original works, making significant contributions to Turkish publishing in the fields of philosophy, history and literature catalog, idea.

In 1978, Ötüken Neşriyat A.Ş. was transformed into a company, adopting a more regular and institutionalized publishing operation through this structural change. During this period, major works such as Büyük Türkiye Tarihi (Yılmaz Öztuna), Büyük Türk Klasikleri (14 volumes), Yeni Türk Ansiklopedisi (10 volumes), Sahih-i Buhari ve Tercemesi (17 volumes), and Mesnevi Şerhi (6 volumes) made lasting contributions to both academic and cultural heritage.

Institutionalization and Distribution Network

Ötüken took pioneering steps not only in book publishing but also in establishing a distribution system. In 1973, Anda Neşriyat ve Dağıtım AŞ. was founded, creating a nationwide and reliable distribution network common. This initiative addressed one of the major shortcomings of the era: the distribution problem solution. However, a major fire in 1984 led to the cessation of distribution activities.

In the formation of its institutional structure, contributions by Nevzat Kösoğlu, Nurhan Alpay and Mustafa Yıldırım were particularly notable. Nurhan Alpay, who served as general manager after 1968, ensured administrative stability within the organization.

Periodical Publishing and New Generation Activities

Ötüken Neşriyat did not limit itself to book publishing but also engaged in periodical publications in the fields of ideas and art. Starting in the 2010s, two new journals were launched: Millî Mecmua and Söğüt. The former drew attention through in-depth thematic issues on Turkish thought, history and culture, while the latter opened discussions on contemporary issues in art and literature. The name “Söğüt” was revived in reference to the first humble journal published in 1968.

The articles featured in these journals were organized around thematic issues dedicated to prominent figures of Turkish intellectual and literary life such as Nihal Atsız, Erol Güngör, Ziya Gökalp and Omar Seyfettin. The journals also provided opportunities for young writers to develop intellectually and aesthetically.

Ötüken Neşriyat Today

Today, Ötüken Neşriyat possesses an extensive catalog of approximately 2200 titles. It publishes works representing both classical texts and contemporary thought in fields such as literature, history, sociology, religion, language and culture. The publishing house has introduced readers to the works of numerous authors including İsmail Gaspıralı, Yusuf Akçura, Ziya Gökalp, Abdülhak Şinasi Fortress, Cemil Meriç, Cengiz Aytmatov, Tarık Buğra and Erol Güngör.

A member of the Publishing Union, Publishers Union and Turkish Printing and Publishing Professional Union, Ötüken Neşriyat defines its identity not merely as a commercial enterprise but as a cultural institution.