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Photo by Ilhan Bilge

Painting by Mustafa Delioglu
Painting by Mustafa Delioglu
Painting by Mustafa Delioglu

"I used to draw continuously. I actually also had the idea of becoming a writer, but drawing became more dominant."

Painting by Mustafa Delioglu

"I’ve always tried to stay genuine and express that on my canvas."

Illustration by Mustafa Delioglu
Drawing by Mustafa Delioglu

"I start, and I follow wherever the painting leads me. When it’s done, that adventure is over."

Painting by Mustafa Delioglu
Painting by Mustafa Delioglu

"I’m not formally trained. When I was a child, I used to draw the pictures I saw in books, and I’d get very upset when I couldn’t do them as well."

Illustration by Mustafa Delioglu
Illustration by Mustafa Delioglu

"So you crossed out the world and extended your line into infinity!"

 

—Süleyman Bulut

Painting by Mustafa Delioglu

Mustafa Delioglu

1946–2025

Mustafa Delioglu, a celebrated multidisciplinary artist, was a painter, illustrator, and writer. Primarily a figurative expressionist, even his illustrations blurred the line between traditional drawing and multidimensional painting. While excelling in the contemporary field, he consistently shunned mere entertainment and superficial sensationalism, believing that art is not a tool for fleeting impressions but something to be savoured for years. As a master of many techniques, he also worked hard to avoid repetition, creating various works that cover a wide spectrum of styles.

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A self-taught artist from a very humble village in Türkiye, Mustafa Delioglu worked tirelessly to create works meant to be remembered — often at the expense of easy comprehension. His work, particularly his paintings, sought to evoke feeling rather than provoke thought. His works adorn collections around the world, and the books he illustrated have reached bookshelves across the globe. Over the course of more than fifty years, he created hundreds of paintings & drawings. He illustrated thousands of books, perhaps becoming the most prolific illustrator in Turkish history. A true creative spirit, he also wrote and illustrated a graphic novel, and edited & illustrated well-known native folk tales for younger generations.

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Beyond being an extraordinary artist, Delioglu was a man of modesty, integrity, and conscience. His respect and love for all living things were among the main pillars of his character. He was a progressive thinker and a good listener, unafraid to challenge or change his own beliefs—including those concerning art. Yet, he was an elitist when it came to the matters of ‘true’ skill, which he described as the combined culmination of ingenuity and insight: Something far beyond the perfected or even extraordinary technique. A merit that could be felt rather than spoken of…

 

Profound and mostly silent, Mustafa Delioglu was a true human being—perhaps one of the finest among us.

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Awards

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  • Aydin Dogan Foundation, Children’s Book Illustration Honor Award 2023

  • ECEV, Izgu Service Award 2020

  • Turkish Librarians Association, Lifetime Service Award 2015

  • Youth and Children’s Publication Society the Best Illustration and Design Award 2006

  • Youth and Children’s Publication Society the Best Book Illustration Award 2005

  • Troia Folklore Research Society Plastic Arts Award 2003

  • Children’s Men of Letters Association Children’s Literature Illustration Service Award 2001

  • Children’s Foundation Effort Award 1998

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Nominations

 

  • Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) 2013

  • Hans Christian Andersen Award 2022

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Bibliography

 

This is a short list of publications illustrated, written, or compiled by Mustafa Delioglu:

 

Written & Illustrated by Mustafa Delioglu

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  • Delioglu, Mustafa. Evliya Celebi’den: Gulabi Aga’nin Basindan Gecenler. Turkiye: YKY, 2023

  • Delioglu, Mustafa, comp. Nasreddin Hoca Bir Gun vol. 1. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Delioglu, Mustafa, comp. Nasreddin Hoca Bir Gün vol. 2. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Delioglu, Mustafa, comp. Nasreddin Hoca Bir Gün vol. 3. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Delioglu, Mustafa, comp. Nasreddin Hoca Bir Gün vol. 4. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

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International Publishers

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  • Akal, Aytul. Das Schokoladenkind / Cikolata Cocuk. Germany: Talisa, 2006

  • Akal, Aytul. Die Kleine Eidechse / Kucuk Kertenkele. Germany: Talisa, 2006

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Kitty Katie’s Growth Stories Series, 1–7. China: China Population Publishing House, 2022.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Tini the Little Lazy Mouse. China: PHEI, 2022.

  • Finke, Margot. Kangroo Clues. Australia: Writer's Exchange E-Publishing, 2004.

  • Kyowon, Geography Storybook, Greece. South Korea: Kyowon, 2010.

  • Stempleski, Susan, ed. Aladdin and his Magic Lamp. UK: Longman Group, 1989.

  • Stempleski, Susan, ed. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. UK: Longman Group, 1992.

  • Stempleski, Susan, ed. The Currycomb. UK: Metro Book Publishing, 1994.

  • Yolen, Jane, ed. Sleep Rhymes Around the World. USA: Boyds Mills Press, 1994.

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Turkish Publishers

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  • Adali, Bilgin. Atesin Cocuklari / Catalhoyuk Oykuleri 2. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Adali, Bilgin. Gilgamis. Turkiye: YKY, 2005.

  • Adali, Bilgin. Troya Savasi Ilyada Destani. Turkiye: Buyulu Fener, 2005.

  • Ailende, Isabel. Pigmeler Ormani. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Ak, Sevim. Eskiler Alirim. Turkiye: Can, 2007.

  • Ak, Sevim. Sarkini Denizlere Soyle. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Akal, Aytul. Acil Bahce Acil. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2012.

  • Akal, Aytul. Acil Kapi Acil. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2011.

  • Akal, Aytul. Ay Kac Yasinda. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2006.

  • Akal, Aytul. Babam Duymasin. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2002.

  • Akal, Aytul. Babamin Sihirli Kuresi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2011.

  • Akal, Aytul. Benim Babam Sihirbaz. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2009.

  • Akal, Aytul. Beni Birakma Hayat. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1998.

  • Akal, Aytul. Burusuk Kagit Parcasi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1997.

  • Akal, Aytul. Cadi Burunlu Cocuk. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1997.

  • Akal, Aytul. Cikolata Cocuk. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1997.

  • Akal, Aytul. Dedemin Sihirli Dolabi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2002.

  • Akal, Aytul. Denizin Buyusu. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2005.

  • Akal, Aytul. Geceyi Sevmeyen Cocuk. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2012.

  • Akal, Aytul. Gezmeyi Seven Agac. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1996.

  • Akal, Aytul. Iki Ucu Yolculuk. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2000.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kac Gunes Var. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2008.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kar Sesi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2004.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kardesimin Garip Arkadaslari. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2002.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kardesimin Sihirli Okulu. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2002.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kirmizi Arabanin Hayaleti. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2012.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kirmizi Fare vol. 94, Kirmizi Semsiyeli Adam. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2006.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kirmizi Fare vol. 96 , Kirmizi Semsiyeli Adam Vapurda. Turkiye:

  • Ucanbalik, 2006.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kirmizi Fare vol. 99, Kirmizi Semsiyeli Adam Otobus Duraginda. Turkiye:

  • Ucanbalik, 2006.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kirmizi Fare vol. 101, Kirmizi Semsiyeli Adam Parkta. Turkiye: Ucanbalik,

  • 2006.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kucuk Kertenkele. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1998, 2012.

  • Akal, Aytul. Kus Uctu Siir Kaldi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2004.

  • Akal, Aytul. Mavi Ay. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2004.

  • Akal, Aytul. Ogretmenin Sihirli Sapkasi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2002.

  • Akal, Aytul. Park Yiyen Robot. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1997.

  • Akal, Aytul. Sanatcinin Sihirli Odasi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2002.

  • Akal, Aytul. Siirimi Kedi Kapti. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2004.

  • Akal, Aytul. Soru Balonlari. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1998.

  • Akal, Aytul. Super Gazeteciler, Likorlu Cikolata. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2007.

  • Akal, Aytul. Super Gazeteciler, Belali Davetiye. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2009.

  • Akal, Aytul. Uc Ucan Cocuk. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1997.

  • Akal, Aytul. Yasli Cocuk. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1998.

  • Aksoy, Seza. Buyulu Bahce. Turkiye: YKY, 1993.

  • Aksoy, Seza. Kucuk Prenses ve Kardelen. Turkiye: YKY, 1995.

  • Alangu, Tahir. Billur Kosk. Turkiye: YKY, 2009.

  • Alangu, Tahir. Kediler Padisahi. Turkiye: YKY, 2011.

  • Alangu, Tahir. Keloglan Masallari. Turkiye: YKY, 2009.

  • Allende, Isabelle. Altin Ejder Kralligi. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Allende, Isabelle. Canavarlar Kenti. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Alpoge, Gulcin. Isiklari Seven Bocek. Turkiye: Can, 2007.

  • Anonymous. Can Cocuk, 25 Yildan Secmeler. Turkiye: Can, 2008.

  • Asilturkmen, Akasya. Kus Agaci, Turkiye: Nemesis, 2019.

  • Atilgan, Yusuf. Ekmek Elden Sut Memeden. Turkiye: YKY, 1992.

  • Aubert, Brigitte. Video Taniklari. Turkiye: Can, 2006.

  • Aubrun, Claudine. Lea Icin Cehennem Mavisi. Turkiye: Can, 2006.

  • Barrie, James Matthew. Peter Pan ile Wendy. Turkiye: Can, 2004.

  • Barrie, James Matthew. Peter Pan Kensington Bahcelerinde. Turkiye: Can, 2004.

  • Behrengi. Bir Seftali Bin Seftali. Turkiye: Oda, 1977.

  • Behrengi. Kucuk Karabalik. Turkiye: Oda, 1977.

  • Behrengi. Pancarci Cocuk. Turkiye: Cem, 1978.

  • Behrengi. Puskullu (Cingirakli) Deve. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Behrengi. Puskullu Deve. Turkiye: Oda, 1978.

  • Binyazar, Adnan. Ataturk Anlatiyor. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Boisset, Eric. Arkandias'ın Buyu Kitabi Birinci Kitap. Turkiye: Can, 2005.

  • Bonsels, Waldemar. Ari Maya. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Brothers Grimm, the. Grimm Masallari vol. 1. Turkiye: Can, 2008.

  • Brothers Grimm, the. Grimm Masallari vol. 2. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Brothers Grimm, the. Seytanin Altinlari. Turkiye: YKY, 1999.

  • Bulosan, Carlos. Su Babamin Isleri. Turkiye: Can, 1991.

  • Bulut, Suleyman. Kocaman Kucuk Deniz. Turkiye: Can, 2008.

  • Bulut, Suleyman. Oklu Kirpi ile Konakli Kaplumbaga. Turkiye: Can, 2007.

  • Bulut, Suleyman. Yesil Yurek Kayabeyi. Turkiye: Can, 2008.

  • Bulut, Süleyman. Saritay. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Burnett, Frances H.. Gizli Bahce. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Camiz, Sahsene. Bucuruk'le Buyucu Ablasi. Turkiye: Can, 2012.

  • Capote, Truman. Para Dolu Damacana. Turkiye: Cem, 1976.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Berber Masali. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2009.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Keci Masali. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1997.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Kim Demis Niye Demis Bu Naneyi Kim Yemis. Turkiye: Ucanbalik,

  • 2005.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Mizmiz Mirnav, vol 1: Okulda Ilk Gun. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2011.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Mizmiz Mirnav, vol 2: Kirmizi Yastik. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2011.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Mizmiz Mirnav, vol. 3: Ogretmenler Onur Gunu. Turkiye: Ucanbalik,

  • 2012.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Mizmiz Mirnav, vol. 4: Pastel Boya. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2012.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Mutlu Bir Gun. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2011.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Papagan Masali. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2006.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Tembel Fare Tini, vol. 1: Yasasin Kar Yagiyor. Turkiye: Ucanbalik,

  • 1998.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Tembel Fare Tini, vol. 2: Peynirli Borek. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1999.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Tembel Fare Tini, vol. 3: Ä°lkbaharin Sesi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1999.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Tembel Fare Tini, vol. 4: Okuldan Donerken. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2001.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Tembel Fare Tini, vol. 5: Piknik Yapiyoruz. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2009.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Tembel Fare Tini, vol. 6: Resim Dersi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2011.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Tembel Fare Tini, vol. 7: Kutuphane Yolunda. Turkiye: Ucanbalik,

  • 2012.

  • Cinaroglu, Ayla. Terzi Masali. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2009.

  • Connell, John. Define Adasina Donus. Turkiye: Can, 2008.

  • Coskun, Bekir. Olumsuz Kavak. Turkiye: Cem, 1978.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Basparmak. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Cincik. Turkiye: YKY, 2007.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Cin Ä°le Cincik. Turkiye: YKY, 2007.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Dolar Biriktiren Cocuk. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Gosterme Parmagi. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Gunesi Dogduran. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Okulumuz 1’deki. Turkiye: YKY, 2007.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Okulumuz 2’deki. Turkiye: YKY, 2007.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Okulumuz 3’deki. Turkiye: YKY, 2007.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Orta Parmak. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Serce Parmak. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Yaramaz Sozcukler. Turkiye: YKY, 2007.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Yazilari Seven Ayi. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Daglarca, Fazil Husnu. Yuzuk Parmagi. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Dalokay, Vedat. Kolo. Turkiye: YKY, 2003.

  • Dayioglu, Gulten. Ece Ile Yuce, volume 1-10. Turkiye: Altin Kitaplar, 2005.

  • De Musset, Paul. Bay Ruzgar ve Bayan Yagmur. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Druon, Maurice. Yesil Parmakli Tistu. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Duman, Faruk. Jupiterin Etegi. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Durbas, Refik. Nar Dustu Kar Ustune. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Farimaz, Sukran. Guzel Sarkilar Kitabi. Turkiye: Can, 2005.

  • Forster, Friedrich. Robinson Olmemeli. Turkiye: Can, 1981.

  • Genc, Goknil. Bocek Orkestrasinin Muhtesem Turnesi. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Genc, Goknil. Emekli Vagon. Turkiye: Can, 2008.

  • Guillot, Rene. Beyaz Yele. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Gurmen, Aysel. Ninem Orgu Oruyor. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2000.

  • Gurmen, Aysel. Ninemin Arkadasi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1996.

  • Gurmen, Aysel. Ninemin Dogum Gunu. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2005.

  • Gurmen, Aysel. Ninemin Kedisi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2003.

  • Gurmen, Aysel. Ninemin Kilimi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2008.

  • Gurmen, Aysel. Ninemin Yaylasi. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 2005.

  • Gurmen, Aysel. Ninemle Hayvanat Bahcesinde. Turkiye: Ucanbalik, 1996.

  • Iplikci, Muge. Ucan Sali. Turkiye: Gunisigi Kitaplari, 2010.

  • Kahyaoglu, Erdogan. Bicir'in Gunlugu. Turkiye: Can, 2006.

  • Kahyaoglu, Erdogan. Komutan Anti. Turkiye: Can, 2006.

  • Kanar, Mehmet, trans. Periler Sahinin Kizi, Iran Masallari. Turkiye: YKY, 2005.

  • Kavukcu, Cemil. Bir Oyku Yazalim mi?. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Kavukcu, Cemil. Havhav Kardesligi, BOPATO 1. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Kavukcu, Cemil. Kafeste Bir Topik / BOPATO 3. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Kavukcu, Cemil. Ozgurluge Kacis, BOPATO 2. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Kavukçu, Cemil. Selo'nun Kuslari. Turkiye: Can, 2012.

  • Kavukcu, Cemil. Yesilcik. Turkiye: Can, 2012.

  • Kiral, Gulsevin. Berber Pire Tellal Deve. Turkiye: Gunisigi Kitaplari, 2009.

  • Koklugiller, Ahmet. Gilgamis. Turkiye: Can, 1994.

  • Koklugiller, Ahmet. Turk Yazarlarindan Cocukluk Hikayeleri. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Kur, Ismet. Mutlu ve Zorlu Yillar, Coskun'un Seruvenleri 1. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • La Fontaine. Agustos Bocegi Ile Karinca. Turkiye: Oda, 1976.

  • Machado, Ana Maria. Icimdeki Buyukanne. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • McClintock, Norah. Kir ve Gir. Turkiye: Can, 2006.

  • McClintock, Norah. Sinirin Otesinde. Turkiye: Can, 2004.

  • Merika, Lena. Kimyon ve Sevgiyle. Turkiye: Can, 2008.

  • Oner, Cetin. Dunyanin Butun Kedileri. Turkiye: Can, 2005.

  • Oner, Cetin. Kargalar Kara Degildi. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Oner, Cetin. Portakal. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Ozer, Kemal. Cocukluk Anayurdum. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Oz, Erdal. Dedem Korkut Oykuleri. Turkiye: Can, 1975.

  • Ozakin, Aydin. Ateskiz ile Tarlakusu. Turkiye: Can, 2007.

  • Ozakin, Aydin. Nemik ile Onbasi. Turkiye: Can, 2009.

  • Ozcan, Pakize. Gucunu Yitiren Kral. Turkiye: Gunisigi Kitaplari, 2011.

  • Ozyalciner, Adnan. Secme Turk Masallari. Turkiye: Buyulu Fener, 2008.

  • Pyle, Howard. Robin Hood. Turkiye: Gorsel, 1983.

  • Rhodius, Apollonius. Argo Gemicilerinin Destani. Turkiye: YKY, 2008.

  • Roy, Claude. Ucan Ev. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Sepulveda, Luis. Martiya Ucmayi Ogreten Kedi. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Seyfettin, Omer. Stories From Omer Seyfettin. Turkiye: Buyulu Fener, 2008.

  • Sezer, Sennur, comp. Bin Bir Gece Masallari. Turkiye: Buyulu Fener, 2006.

  • Simard, Eric. Balinaların Sarkisi. Turkiye: Can, 2004.

  • Sogangoz, Purnur. Narin. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Soyturk, Isik. Anadolu Binbir Mitolojik Oyku. Turkiye: Filiz, 2009.

  • Sureya, Cemal. Aritmetik Iyi Kuslar Pekiyi. Turkiye: YKY, 1996.

  • Tamaro, Susanna. Kitaplardan Korkan Cocuk. Turkiye: Can, 2000.

  • Tamer, Ulku. Seytanin Altinlari. Turkiye: Can, 2011.

  • Tansel, Oguz. Alti Kardesler. Turkiye: YKY, 2011.

  • Tansel, Oguz. Uc Kizlar. Turkiye: YKY, 2011.

  • Tansel, Oguz. Yedi Devler. Turkiye: YKY, 2011.

  • Twain, Mark. Huckleberry Finn'in Seruvenleri. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Twain, Mark. Tom Sawyer'in Seruvenleri. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

  • Wilde, Oscar. Mutlu Prens. Turkiye: Can, 2007.

  • Wilde, Oscar. Nar Evi. Turkiye: Can, 2010.

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Press & Academia​​

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Biography
Bibliography
Press

© 2025 The Estate of Mustafa Delioglu

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