The Turkish [professionals] community has evolved into various fragmentations since first stepping foot into this country. As students, AU Pairs or job hunters we all have different reasons for being here but our problems remain very similar; the language, our visa/work permit struggle along with trying to integrate ourselves into a new country. We have devised our own unique solutions for our problems. As each individual has evolved so has our community, hence many clubs/societies have been setup to cater for the different needs of our changing community. What I want to point out is the “prosaic” issue, both on the individual and organisational domain that has been neglected while seeking solutions.

There is hierarchical variance between the poetic and the prosaic but it’s not dichotomistic. Poetic is extraordinary, different and pre-eminent; it is the highlighted background and the contrast itself… Prosaic is the ordinary, aseptic and casual; it is the background itself and the simplicity in detail.

A poem is poetic but a novel is prosaic. War is poetic, but a peaceful life, which we take for granted, is prosaic. Leaders and heroes are poetic, but you, me and they… the people in offices or the crowd on the streets, are prosaic. Revolution is poetic but evolution taking place infinitesimally is prosaic. Birth and death are poetic but slow-paced aging is prosaic. Love is poetic, whereas to think love is poetic is in itself prosaic! Relationships that depend on poetic bonds are exciting but short-lived. Poetic depicts the time at stand still, but prosaic is time that runs quietly.

Prosaic is life, power that cannot be stopped and is the real thing. Unfortunately, people have always sought solutions in the poetic arena. However, the solution is in the souls, in the streets, in patience, in smiles, in candour, and in self-confidence.

As an individual,

Each of us individually contributes to the advancement and image of Turkey. We feel and act upon this responsibility. However, the constant consumerism of today’s society and the ego of materialism has overpowered the spirit of our modesty & advancement. We are the youth that ego-marketing is targeted for; from the iPod, iMac, to MySpace.com. Even, music –the food of our soul & heart- has become egocentric with a dozen songs named "my way”; from Frank Sinatra to Christina! It has become me, me and me!

When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. As Shakespeare puts it we are living in, not golden, but our Salad Days! We have become lovers of ourselves, of money, of pleasures. Unthankful and disloyal – without any self control.

Poetic is to realize our weaknesses and inject perseverance to improve ourselves. Prosaic is to spend the coming month of fasting –Ramadan- reflecting the good we have inside ourselves. As Mevlana puts it; “You already have the precious mixture that will make you well. Use it". 30 days fasting.. to appreciate how fortunate we are and realise the difficulty the poor & hungry are in...to appreciate and thank the creator for providing us wealth, health and a safe environment…to open our houses and food tables to our work colleagues, neighbours and friends so to reflect our hospitality.

As a community

The concept of Turk Fest is poetic. But coming early in the morning to hide the South Bank with Turkish flags, the lovely hazelnut delights and people serving ayran on each stand is prosaic. Persevering to campaign against the so called Armenian Genocide claims is poetic, but formulating e-mails, writing to MP's and forming BTCD is prosaic.

Like everybody else, repeating "..it all starts from education" as a remedy for all our problems and emphasizing the importance of educating our children is poetic. Dreaming of youth who have integrated successfully into the British society, yet have not lost their cultural heritage and their ability to speak Turkish is poetic. Buying a historical building, cleaning it day and night so that it's ready for the beginning of the academic year, recruiting excellent teachers and setting up the first Turkish Primary and Secondary School in Wood Green is prosaic. Supporting “our” school is prosaic. Do visit their excellent website: www.wisdomschool.org.uk

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Professionals Insight

I would like to express my sincere apologies from all our readers, contributors and staff for such a delay in producing issue 8. Thank you for your support and the constant pressure for us to continue publishing Professionals Insight. We will endeavour to be forgiven.

However, we have not been completely lazy this summer and are proud to have been part of the summer picnic organisations – bringing 9 clubs and societies together for the first time in history to agree on a mutually beneficial event.

We will be introducing some major changes to our content and have also planned some new and exciting events for this winter. We are very passionate to bring you a quality magazine and burn with a desire to make positive contribution to our society. Maybe Orhan Veli can explain what we can’t;

The picture we have all missed, executive members and volunteers
from different Turkish club/societies came together to organise the [poetic] summer picnic