Ambassador Fırat Sunel, a distinguished diplomat and accomplished novelist, currently serves as Türkiye’s Ambassador to India. With a rich diplomatic career spanning several key capitals and a profound understanding of cultural diplomacy, Ambassador Sunel has been instrumental in strengthening the ties between Türkiye and India.
In this exclusive interview with The Sunday Guardian, Ambassador Fırat Sunel shares his insights on the growing cultural connections between the two nations, the significance of educational exchanges, and the thriving tourism industry.
Additionally, as an author, whose works have resonated with readers globally, including in India, Ambassador Sunel discusses the intersection of his diplomatic and literary pursuits, offering a glimpse into his latest bestseller, ‘The Lighthouse Family.
Excerpts
Q. How do you look at cultural diplomacy in the context of India and Türkiye?
A. Cultural diplomacy provides the basis for cross-cultural dialogue and encourages people-to-people contacts. India, with its sheer diversity, rich history and layers of civilization, is among the most exciting countries in the world to explore. Türkiye likewise is a country with a vibrant cultural scene that thrives on its history. The more we delve into the cultures of both countries, the more we realize our similarities—the enduring respect for tradition while embracing modernity, unparalleled hospitality, warmth of human relations and family ties, to name a just few.
Television series from Türkiye are popular in India and Indian productions are popular in Türkiye for no other reason– they resonate in the hearts and cultural sensibilities of both peoples. I have met young Indians who have learned Turkish from television series. I am always in awe at how they have come to be fluent speakers, just because they have watched so many of Turkish series. This cultural interest, in turn, motivates one to go beyond the screen and get to know the country, be it Türkiye or India.
Q. Tell us about some of the key activities undertaken by the Turkish Embassy in India to promote the cultural ties between the two countries? What are the future projects to further enhance the cultural bond between India and Türkiye?
A. As the Embassy, we are happy to observe keen interest in the activities we host or participate in. To give an example, Türkiye participated as the Guest of Honor country in the Kerala Literature Festival in January 2024, with writers coming in from Türkiye, some with works published in Indian languages, to present their works. We also had a panel discussion on the historical relations between Türkiye and India on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. There we also had a ceremony of the Sufi whirling dervishes, which attracted more than 5 thousand guests.
We also know that Turkish cuisine is well-known and loved in India. Last May, we hosted events for the Turkish Cuisine Week, which is now annually celebrated and is becoming a tradition that helps us showcase the many flavors of Anatolia. The focus this year was the Turkish Aegean cuisine, famed for its fresh, seasonal vegetables and ingredients as well as generous use of top-quality olive oil. There was great interest in this food festival as well.
In the future, we will continue sharing more of Turkish culture by continuing our participation in literary festivals and book fairs, film festivals and screenings, organizing concerts to create further the opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue and exchange.
Q. How are educational exchanges contributing to enhanced cultural dialogue between the two countries? Are there any scholarship programs in place?
A. Türkiye is a preferred destination for many students seeking to enhance their higher education experience. I would highly encourage students to apply to Türkiye Scholarships, our flagship scholarship program for international students. In addition to providing financial support, the program allows international students to be placed in the university in their intended program of study. The aim of Türkiye Scholarships is to ensure that students benefit from social and cultural activities during their time in Türkiye as well as university education.
Q. What unique experiences does Türkiye offer to Indian tourists? How is Türkiye promoting tourism to Indian travelers?
A. Türkiye’s allure lies in its rich and diverse tapestry of history. It is home to many ancient wonders, vibrant bazaars and bustling markets. The diverse landscapes, from the turquoise waters of the Aegean to the mysterious terrains of Cappadocia, are a visual feast. What is more, Türkiye is uniquely located at the crossroads of the East and the West. I believe every Indian visiting Türkiye will witness how tradition exists in harmony with modernity. Hospitality is ingrained in our culture, so Indian tourists will feel themselves at home in my country.
In India, we have been actively promoting tourism to Türkiye for a long time and are happy to see our efforts bearing fruit. In recent years, the number of Indian visitors to Türkiye has reached unprecedented levels, with 231,000 visitors in 2022 and 275,000 in 2023. We expect this trend to continue, anticipating a new record of 350,000 Indian tourists in 2024.
The tailored promotional campaigns include joint marketing campaigns with prominent Indian travel agents, organizing multi-city roadshows for engaging with local partners, familiarization trips for corporates, travel agents and film production houses. Just to give an example, we had a multicity roadshow spanning New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad between 30th January and 6th of February 2024. These campaigns communicate the diverse attractions Türkiye has to offer to Indian audiences.
Q. You are an Ambassador and an eminent author whose novels have been published also in India in several languages. What is the advantage of being an Ambassador-cum-writer in India?
A. I feel privileged to be in India both as an Ambassador and novelist. Your country is an endless well of inspiration and fascinating stories. The more I travel in and around India, the more I am collecting stories to tell. Here in India, I have come to discover that there is avid readership, also among youth. It is evident in the attendance of thousands to many literature festivals that take place in different states and cities. I am lucky enough to be invited to some as a speaker, where I also get to connect with readers in India. Since my novels are based in Türkiye and her neighborhood, it is interesting to hear Indian readers’ views and perceptions of my work first hand. So, this also allows for me to share more on Turkish society and culture, which I value as an Ambassador too.
Q. Tell us about your latest novel ‘The Lighthouse Family,’ which was released earlier this year and became a bestseller. How has it been received by Indian readers? Are you planning to write a book about India?
A. ‘The Lighthouse Family,’ published last January by Penguin Random House India, is my third novel and has already been translated into several languages. The novel is historical fiction set in the Second World War. But I don’t go deep into the war zone. It is a story of a family living in a lighthouse, far away from everything, everywhere and everyone—a story of a family struggling through war, despair and death. It is a first person narrative and I tell the whole story through the eyes of a little boy who has just finished primary school. He has dreams, he wants to go to the big city to continue his education and become a teacher. But his father needs him to work at the lighthouse. And we see how his siblings help him to make his dream come true. This is a poignant novel about sibling love, family ties and how the indomitable human spirit overcomes life’s challenges. It is a visual book and I paid enormous attention to the character development of each member of the family. Each struggles with their own internal conflicts and external pressures. I tried to weave each character intricately into the fabric of the narrative to give the story depth and emotional resonance. This is indeed a book where fiction and non-fiction go hand in hand.
Thanks to the keen interest of Indian readers, my book quickly became a bestseller. As a writer, my mind is full of ideas for future literary projects. It is impossible for me not to write a book about India’s diverse and colorful cultures.