By Heidi Trautmann
Blue, the colour of romanticism, blue the colour of
endlessness and mystery…. the colour of ‘SAPPHIRE – The Promised Time’, Book I
in the English translation. I open the book, the front pages in glittering
Blue. The printing on recycled paper. Kemal’s colourful book illustrations on
transparent drawing paper, the impression of irreality, transparency, other levels
of existence of long ago but timelessly present. A fantasy book based on Cyprus
legends of St. Hilarion.
The book launch of the English version of ‘Book I’ was an
enchanting stage installation, the book taken apart and re-established as volatile
sculptures, pages caught in flight along with the crowds of fireflies, the
fairies and djinns which are important protagonists, the carrying elements
of the story. The castle walls as transparent hangings
through which the room with the guests in it became its fantasy touch. Sort of
finding oneself between the pages of the book that was going to be presented.
Gökçe Keceçi, the President of EMAA, - European Mediterranean
Art Association – welcomed the guests in the garden of the Association reminding
us of the importance of the arts, the importance of working together and the
importance of promoting the arts and to make it available for all. She thanked
all members who have selflessly been working for the cause over the years in
order to enable the association to support artists and show their work. She
introduced Kemal B. Caymaz and the first fantasy book, his work and his vision.
The ever supporting Mayor of Nicosia, Mehmet Harmancı, who
never misses an event at EMAA’s, the Director of the Cultural Department of the
Ministry of Education and Culture, Şehbal Hamzaoğulları, and the translator of
the book, Ceren Karanar, were adding words of praise before the exhibition of
the illustrations that are contained in the book, was opened.
On the technical page I read that Marion Stuart edited the
English translation. The book design was done by Raif Kizil. The publishing of
the book was supported by the Cultural Department of the Ministry of Education
and Culture.
The book is available at Amazon and also in all known
bookstores around the island.
The exhibition including book sale directly from the author
will be open until July 27 at EMAA’s, you will find it interesting to talk to
him, he said, he would be there 14:00-17:00 and 14:00-17:00 hrs...
Here is a link of his Turkish book launch at the Bedesten
some years ago….
http://www.heiditrautmann.com/category.aspx?CID=7333564188#.XTbFcfIzaUk