One of the most influential voices in Turkish literature, Pınar Kür, has passed away at the age of 82. A novelist, translator, and academic, Kür was known for her fearless exploration of gender, identity, and social injustice in her fiction. Her death was announced by writer Yekta Kopan on social media, who wrote, “We bid farewell to Pınar Kür. A major loss for our literature… My condolences. Her family, especially her son Emrah Kolukısa, is in deep mourning.”
Born as Havva Pınar Kür, she began her education in Zonguldak and continued her studies in the UK, the US, and France. She completed her PhD at the Sorbonne University in Paris, focusing on 20th-century theatre. Her literary interest began at a young age; while studying in New York, she wrote her first plays in English. After returning to Turkey, she worked at the State Theatre as a dramaturg and began sending short stories to Dost Publishing.
Her debut novel Yarın… Yarın… (Tomorrow… Tomorrow…) made a striking impact and was followed by acclaimed works such as Küçük Oyuncu, Asılacak Kadın, and Bitmeyen Aşk. These novels explored the conditions of women, psychological oppression, and the struggles of identity, often provoking both praise and controversy. Asılacak Kadın, in particular, was heavily criticized for its depiction of sexuality but also recognized for its feminist themes. It was later adapted into a film, which was subject to censorship.
In 1984, she received the prestigious Sait Faik Short Story Award for her collection Akışı Olmayan Sular (Stagnant Waters). Her crime fiction trilogy—Bir Cinayet Romanı, Sonuncu Sonbahar, and Cinayet Fakültesi—brought postmodern, metafictional approaches to the detective genre in Turkish literature, blending narrative with critical commentary on the genre itself.
Beyond her literary output, Pınar Kür was also an accomplished translator. She began her translation career with Daniel Defoe’s Moll Flanders and brought many important works into Turkish. As a dedicated educator, she taught for years at Istanbul University and later at Istanbul Bilgi University. In the 2000s, she also appeared as a commentator on the TV program Haydi Gel Benimle Ol.
Known for her outspoken views and feminist stance, Kür gave voice to silenced female characters and delved into the complexities of emotional and social conflict. Her work consistently pushed boundaries, sparking debates in both literary and public spheres.
Pınar Kür’s legacy is not limited to her novels and stories—it lives on as a chronicle of women’s lives, struggles, and resistance in modern Turkey. Her bold literary vision and critical insight will continue to inspire generations of readers and writers.
