05/08/2024 | Writer: Umut Güven
“Through our book selection and events, we strive to create a cultural and artistic hub that offers a safe space for people, transcending the role of a mere retail location.”
Frankeştayn is a bookstore in Istanbul where you can lose yourself for hours among feminist and queer literature while enjoying a coffee and freshly baked cakes. This vibrant space welcomes readers from all walks of life with its beautiful events and a carefully curated book collection. The bookstore is the brainchild of Ayşe Tümerkan, who, despite her background as a lawyer, followed her passion for literature to create this unique haven. After studying law at Istanbul University and completing her master’s degree in Texas, Tümerkan worked as a lawyer for several years in various law offices and companies. However, her love for books inspired her to fulfill a long-held dream of owning a bookstore.
Tümerkan reflects on the origins of Frankeştayn, saying, “The Gezi Park protests led me to an existential crisis, making me question my life and purpose. I yearned for a different existence—one that was more communal and less focused on consumption. After a period of deep discouragement, I finally decided to open Frankenstein.”
Despite the joy of running a bookstore, Tümerkan acknowledges the challenges of sustaining a business in the book industry, especially within Turkey’s tough economic and political environment. She adds with resilience, “I wasn't brought up in the woods to be scared by owls!”
“I envisioned creating a feminist and queer bookstore”
When I mention that Frankeştayn Bookstore is sometimes called the "Bookstore of the Others," Ayşe Tümerkan responds, “I hope so.” Her vision for the bookstore has always been to go beyond mainstream offerings. She explains, “I envisioned creating a feminist and queer bookstore. This means curating a selection of feminist and queer texts, featuring books and authors from boutique publishers that aren’t widely available elsewhere, and prioritizing queer individuals and women in our events. We strive to achieve these goals, and I hope we’re succeeding.”
“We strive to create a cultural and artistic hub that offers a safe space for people”
Given all this, it would be an understatement to describe Frankeştayn Bookstore as merely a bookshop. When I inquire whether its book selection is notably inclusive of feminist and queer publications and if it serves as a “safe space” for vibrant events, Ayşe Tümerkan confirms this aim. She explains, “Through our book selection and events, we strive to create a cultural and artistic hub that offers a safe space for people, transcending the role of a mere retail location.”
We discuss the significance of such spaces in a time when opportunities for expression are increasingly scarce. Tümerkan notes the strong community engagement at their events, describing their audience as “incredibly open-minded and dynamic.” She continues, “We learn a great deal from our customers and event attendees. They introduce us to new authors and offer suggestions for events we might not have considered. We host a broad array of events, ranging from literature to politics, art, and science—everything from discussions on vampires to architectural pavilions. We’re thrilled with the level of participation we see.”
To support the sustainability of such spaces, Tümerkan suggests, “Consider buying at least some of your books from independent bookstores. While I understand the temptation to purchase cheaper books online given the current economic conditions, striking a balance is important. If you want bookstores to thrive, it’s essential to support them, even if only partially.”
Lastly, Tümerkan shares her future aspirations, including the desire to have the financial means to send Turkish writers to international literary festivals and to organize a fiction contest to connect emerging writers with publishing houses.
Kaos GL magazine is just a click away
This interview was first published in 195th (“Nonviolence”) issue of Kaos GL Magazine. Online subscribers can read the magazine from its website. The issue can be found in bookstores or on the website of Notabene Publications.
Tags: arts and culture, life
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