Coincidence. That is how Hanneke van der Heijden (b. 1964) explains how she became involved in translating Turkish literature. When she was studying Applied Linguistics she chose Turkish as a second subject, but it might as well have been Chinese or Arabic. Since 1992, Hanneke has lived and worked in various Turkish cities. Istanbul is her home for now. She wants to introduce Turkish literature to Dutch readers. Hanneke has translated fifteen novels and many short stories.