May is the rose of the months...

Since my childhood, I have held spring and the month of May apart from the others, and I have loved them more. I am practically reborn, I fall in love all over again. Spring months are productive months. The beauty of May is something else; it is, in fact, the rose of all months.

Seeds, seedlings, and saplings are sown and planted. Daisies, poppies, and many others bring nature to life. Buds, flowers, and leaves on the branches add a different kind of festivity to spring... Sheep, goats, and all animals breed and multiply. Bees and ants work busily.

In social life, too, the peak of many innovations, works, and products is experienced in the spring months. Spring is the season when the most activities are held in every area of life. Alongside its own productivity, spring reaches its peak in art, social life, and even politics. And May, oh May, don't even ask. What does Sabahattin Ali say? "May is the rose of the months"

May is the rose of the months

It is a branch of fresh flowers

My heart is full of fire

My heart is wild in May

We migrate to the green mountains

Red wines are drunk

My beloved is scattered and spilled

My heart is wild in May

We lie facing the skies

Our troubles are forgotten

Old loves are cast away

My heart is wild in May

Birds call from afar

My heart expands and is nourished

It yearns to live

My heart is wild in May

Soft winds blow

My beloved walks in the grass

She is mistaken and smiles at me

My heart is wild in May

As the Turkey Promotion, Research, Democracy and Secularism Foundation (TÜLOV), we held a commemoration event on Tuesday, May 20, for the versatile artist and writer Sabahattin Ali, who was taken from us at a young age, at the Konak Municipality Türkan Saylan Cultural Center. The talk and book signing event following the genius was very successful and impressive.

Researcher and writer Ufuk Karaman presented excerpts from Sabahattin Ali's life. Ali Ekber Yurtsever played and sang from the author's works with his saz. Aydan Tuncayengin both directed and read poems.

At the end of the event, Ufuk Karaman signed his newly published book, "Bir Deha Muharrir" (A Genius Writer), which he had been working on for many years. I sincerely congratulate my three artist and writer friends who carried the event. We must tell and introduce the author of "Kuyucaklı Yusuf," Sabahattin Ali, to future generations even more.

Last week in İzmir, we experienced such a week that we struggled to keep up with the agenda and programs. The number of congresses, concerts, panels, and even trips suddenly increased. I would like to share a few of them with you.

On May 19, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, the "National Will" rally was held in İzmir. Millions painted İzmir red. It made us all happy for the future, especially with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at the forefront.

On the evening of Wednesday, May 22, we experienced another beauty. An event worthy of spring and the month of May was held. TÜLOV TSMK gave its second concert of the season at the Konak Municipality Güzelyalı Cultural Center Nazım Hikmet Hall. The efforts and successes of the TÜLOV TSM Choir founding president Nurşen Yılmaz, art director Ümit Bulut, and most of the veteran choir members, who organized the concert themed "May love, not rain, fall from the sky"—where many art lovers had to turn back—were applauded with a standing ovation many times.

Despite pains, sorrows, troubles, and difficulties, we must look to the future with hope. There is no pessimism in May. There is hope. In May, there is struggle and excitement, there is love.

Prof. Dr. Nurettin DEMİR