The chapbook documents readings and talks from the first annual Nazim Hikmet Poetry Festival, which was held in April, 2009 (Organizers: Buket Aydemir, Pelin Bali, Mehmet C. Ozturk & Birgul Tuzlali). The chapbook is a cooperative publication by scholars, poets, and members of the NC literary community that celebrates the work and influence of Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet. The chapbook includes commentary by NC Poet Laureate Katherine Stripling Byer, and articles on Nazim Hikmet's life and poetry by Greg Dawes (NC State University) and Erdag Goknar, (Duke University). Eight winning poems and two honorable mentions from the poetry competition are also included, representing the work of poets Judy Light Ayyildiz, Katherine Barnes, Jeffery Beam, David Need, Pamela Richardson, Christopher Salerno, Tony Tost, Chris Vitiello, Guney Acipayamli and Mimi Herman. For information on the festival visit: http: //www.nazimhikmetpoetryfestival.org