The 2026 Attila Ilhan Literature Awards have announced their winners following a review of 52 poetry submissions, 99 novels, and 24 screenplays. Organized by the Attila Ilhan Science, Art and Culture Foundation with support from Türkiye Is Bank Cultural Publications, the selection panels were chaired by Dogan Hizlan.
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Ebru Ojen received the Novel Award for her work "Belgrade Canon" (Belgrad Kanon), published by Iletisim Yayinlari. The jury, led by Mehmet Eroglu, praised the novel for its ability to depict violence without simplifying its characters and for blending tension with psychological depth.
Ilgi Erpelit garnered the First Novel Foundation Special Encouragement Award for "A Place of Our Own" (Bize Ait Bir Yer), published by Alakarga Sanat Yayinlari. The jury highlighted the book's exploration of lives affected by urban renewal, conveyed through a child’s perspective that combines sadness with humor.
In the poetry category, Ersun Ciplak was awarded the 2026 Attila Ilhan Poetry Award for "Everyone Into Themselves" (Herkes Kendi Icine), published by A7 Kitap Yayinlari. The jury, chaired by Metin Celal, noted the collection's reflection on the tension between individual inner worlds and social realities.
Huseyin Sonmez received the First Poetry Book Foundation Special Encouragement Award for "Things Before Dying" (Olmeden Onceki Seyler), published by Vapur Yayinlari. The jury commended the work for its lyrical sensitivity and thoughtful exploration of themes such as memory, time, and death.
Rasel Meseri won the 2026 Attila Ilhan Screenplay Award for "Broken City" (Kirik Sehir), with Biket Ilhan presiding over the screenplay jury. The award ceremony will take place on December 17 during the 43rd Istanbul International Book Fair at the TUYAP Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul's Buyukcekmece district.