Mario Levi, one of the most prolific writers in contemporary literature, bid farewell to life while undergoing cancer treatment in the hospital. Born in Istanbul in 1957, Levi graduated from Saint Michel High School in 1975 and later earned a degree in French Language and Literature from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Arts in 1980. Levi’s first writings were published in the Şalom newspaper, and his debut book, “Jacques Brel: Bir Yalnız Adam” (Jacques Brel: A Lonely Man), was actually a novelization of Levi’s university thesis. Mario Levi’s first short story collection, “Bir Şehre Gidememek” (Not Being Able to Go to a City), was published in 1990 and subsequently received the Haldun Taner Short Story Award.
In his second short story collection, ”Madame Floridis May not Return” published in 1991, the author delved into the struggles of individuals in Istanbul’s minority circles and those finding it challenging to adapt to society. In his novel Istanbul Was a Fairy Tale, published in 1999, he narrated the story of a Jewish family living in Istanbul between the 1920s and 1980s. The novel received the Yunus Nadi Novel Award in 2000.
For many years, the author taught Writing Creation courses at the Faculty of Communication, Public Relations, and Advertising Department of Yeditepe University. He also conducted literature and creative writing programs in various writing workshops.
