Addressing the audience at his presentation, Pamuk said that he was not very happy when he was introduced as a writer of Turkish descent. In this context he said that his identity as a novelist rather than his ethnic identity should be given a priority in the promotion of his life and work.
Pamuk is the author of six novels ('My Name is Red',' New Life' etc.) and the recipient of major Turkish and international literary awards. He is one of Europe's most prominent novelists, and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages.