Auditorium 3 was full, on February 3, to receive Elif Shafak and the well-known Portuguese journalist Clara Ferreira Alves. They touched upon several contemporary themes in a dynamic discussion entitled “Writing about taboos in a multicultural world.” The Bastard of Istambul, the first book of the author published in Portuguese by Jacarandá Editora, was the backbone of the discussion.

Various themes, central to contemporary international debates were discussed, such as the relationship between Western and Eastern cultures and the status of women in Turkey; the importance of freedom of expression; Turkey’s relationship with the European Union; “taboo” topics such as the question of abortion in Turkey; Armenian Turkish relations in dealing with the past including the Genocide. Multiculturalism and the richness of multiple identities was a common theme throughout, as well as the importance of defending human rights.

The audience listened to Elif Shafak spellbound by her thoughtful answers to the perceptive questions of Clara Ferreira Alves.

Elif Shafak is one of the most read Turkish novelists. She writes primarily in Turkish and English and has published 13 books, of which 9 are novels. She has 3 million Facebook and 1,7 twitter followers. In addition, she is a political scientist and commentator. Her essays have appeared in several international publications such as The Financial Times, The Guardian, The New York Times, Die Zeit, La Repubblica, The Independent, Newsweek and Time. She has also given TED talks.