Is Dede Korkut a historical figure or a fictional character? What is his significance to Türkiye? And how is this legendary sage, poet and musician of Turkic folklore connected to Saint George, England’s patron saint, and Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint and founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church?
These questions and more will be explored at a special public event in North London on Friday 26 June, when author and Turkologist Can Çakır joins award-winning journalist and Eurovizyon editor Mustafa Köker in conversation to discuss the findings of her new Turkish-language book, Kimliği, Dili, Tarihi, Coğrafyası ile Dede Korkut ve Oğuznameleri.
Free to attend and open to all, the event will take place upstairs at The Garden House (Kitabevi) in Tottenham and will offer audiences a rare opportunity to discover the wider historical, cultural and religious significance of one of the most enduring figures in Turkic oral tradition.
Numerous books have retold the epic tales associated with Dede Korkut, a legendary figure whose influence extends far beyond Anatolia into Central Asia, the Caucasus and Mesopotamia. In Dede Korkut ve Oğuznameleri, Çakır takes a different approach, examining historical records, oral traditions and literary sources in multiple languages to explore who Dede Korkut may have been and why his legacy resonates across cultures, faiths and nations.
Çakır’s book sheds new light on a shared cultural heritage that continues to shape identities across Türkiye, the Caucasus and Central Asia. She investigates connections that span the histories of the Oghuz Turks, Armenians, Georgians and even the United Kingdom, presenting readers with a fresh perspective on a figure whose story continues to inspire debate among historians, folklorists and cultural scholars.
“Since my student years, I have been fascinated by Dede Korkut,” said Çakır. “While researching folklore and historical sources from eastern Türkiye for another book, I repeatedly encountered intriguing references and unexpected connections that convinced me there was a much larger story to tell. Every nation has its own legends, often regarded as unique to its history and culture. Yet the stories surrounding Dede Korkut appear across the oral traditions and historical narratives of many different peoples, each preserving its own interpretation of his life and exploits. My book brings together these sources and invites readers to decide for themselves whether they refer to different figures or to the same historical character,” she added.
Places for this intimate London book launch with Can Çakır and Mustafa Köker are limited. Advance registration via Eventbrite is recommended to guarantee entry. Please note the discussion will be entirely in Turkish.
Copies of Kimliği, Dili, Tarihi, Coğrafyası ile Dede Korkut ve Oğuznameleri will be available for purchase on the evening. The event begins at 7pm and will last approximately one hour, followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the author.
The Garden House (Kitabevi) is located in Tottenham, within walking distance of Seven Sisters and Bruce Grove stations. Free parking is available in the public car park behind the venue from 6.30pm.
Can Çakır’s Kimliği, Dili, Tarihi, Coğrafyası ile Dede Korkut ve Oğuznameleri is available in paperback from Amazon Turkiye and other major Turkish online booksellers priced £25. Readers in North London can purchase copies directly from The Garden House (Kitabevi), with the UK and European release of the book scheduled for the end of June 2026.
Event Details
Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Times: doors open 6.30pm, talk starts 7pm
Venue: The Garden House (Kitabevi), 410 High Rd, London N17 9JB
Admission: free but prior reservation needed.
Tickets: reserve your place on Eventbrite – click here
