AYŞE ŞAFAK KANCA

She was born in Istanbul. She graduated from Kandilli Girls’ High School (1980). Following the 1980 coup, she moved to Austria and lived in Vienna between 1980 and 1990. She graduated from the Vienna University of Economics and Business with a degree in Business Administration and Tourism (1987). She worked on projects affiliated with the Austrian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, focusing on workers’ and women’s rights. She engaged in amateur journalism. She served on the board of the Turkey-Austria Friendship Association and participated in its activities. She lives in Istanbul. She is married and a mother of two daughters. Her poems and writings have been published in magazines such as “Varlık”, “Psikeart”, “Papirüs”, “Veronika”, “Hayal”, “Bavul”, “Lacivert Öykü ve Şiir”, and “Roman Kahramanları”, as well as in the “Birgün” newspaper.

Her poems have appeared in collective volumes such as “Türk-Sırp Edebiyatçılar Buluşması Kitabı” (2019), “Şşşt” (The Poet House, 2020), “Mühürlü Şiirler” (Ekşi Karga Yay., 2020), and “Benidorm İstanbul 2020 Türk Şairler Seçkisi” (Artshop, 2020). She has participated in various literary events, festivals, and workshops in both Austria and Turkey.

She has published three books:

1-) “Wiener Sonett” (Turkish-German, limited edition, featuring illustrations by İsmail Sertaç), 2020, The Poet House;

2-) “Azalma Vakti”, 2020, Hayal Yay.;

3-) “Yanık Bal Kokusu”, 2022, Anima Yayınları…