“Cumbersome to define, time is an elusive concept for us, constantly flowing like an irresistible, unstoppable mysterious train. This leaden reality gently covers the past while leaving us with only the residues of pain and joy at the end of 365 days. Much like life itself… Similar to life, pictures of the past lived and forgotten, faint memories, are what remains. Yet, life says, ‘Wake up! Look ahead!’ Life exclaims to us, ‘You cannot rewrite the past, but you can build the future!’ The past is behind us. Tomorrow is unknown. So, the key to this truth lies in living today correctly. It’s about living the day as it should be, giving it its due!
Yes, we’ve left another year behind. It passed with its bitterness and sweetness. It sometimes saddened us, sometimes made us happy, but it’s over. Now, in front of us lies a whole year. Our minds are loaded with new hopes and expectations. Our goals, our dreams are grand. We have much more to do to make Laleli one of the world’s top fashion centers. This is not a dream or utopia, of course. On the contrary, it’s the reality itself. As long as we live today as it should be and read the future correctly. The world is shrinking, balances are changing. Nothing is as it used to be. In the new world order, conditions and rules are being rewritten. The giants of the past must now share their power. Our country says, ‘I am in the game.’ At this point, we must be very sensitive and dedicated. If we play the stones right, bright horizons await our future generations. Surely, we have problems. It is quite natural to have many problems that need to be solved. But the will and determination, which are the antidote to this poison, are in us. If we believe and strive, it is possible to overcome all of them. We are a young and dynamic country. We are a nation with a glorious past. We are the descendants of a generation that tore and rewrote the pages of history. We can do it again. The only element that makes up society has always been individuals. If we strive as individuals and unite socially, frozen babies will no longer freeze, and the tears of mothers who lost them will cease. Hearts will beat with the spirit of brotherhood, and the beautiful days we miss will return. We can achieve all of this only with the belief and sharing spirit that constitutes our essence. As long as this awareness exists in us, there will be no problem we cannot overcome.
I want to mention the search conference we held in December. It provided us with an opportunity to discuss and share new ideas and suggestions for Laleli. We discussed its problems, searched for solutions, reviewed our goals, and shaped our future plans. In the end, we realized that every job done, every activity opens a new door for us, initiating a process that we need to advance and improve. At this point, rest assured that we will continue to work, pour our minds and hard work, and be diligent.
As I conclude my words, I hope that the year 2014 will be a new milestone for our country and the world in terms of peace and prosperity, that our healed wounds will heal, and the fire of brotherhood we ignited together will warm our hearts thirsty for love and peace. I extend my regards.
Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca.”
