The book titled “Ali’s Magic Pen”, written by University of Kyrenia Faculty Member Assist. Prof. Dr. Mutlu Soykurt to provide life hope and motivation to children struggling with cancer, was introduced with a widely attended event. All proceeds of the book, which was introduced in the courtyard of TAŞEV Boutique Hotel in Nicosia, will be donated to the Süleyman Cengiz Eminoğlu Foundation (CENGO-V). The event was held with the participation of many guests, especially children.
At the event, which started with a cocktail, Magic Touch Director Özlem Özbekoğlu, one of the founding members of the Süleyman Cengiz Eminoğlu Foundation (CENGO-V) and one of the sponsors of the book, and Özge Özbekoğlu, the Founding President of the CENGO Foundation, made an opening speech. At the beginning of the event, the promised children were asked about their wishes that they would like to see come true. In the event, where emotional moments were experienced with the wishes of the children, the author of the book, Assist. Prof. Dr. Mutlu Soykurt also gave a speech about the adventure of the book’s creation, and then the book signing took place.
At the end of the event, a plaque was presented by the Süleyman Cengiz Eminoğlu Foundation to Mutlu Soykurt, illustrator Mariya Goltseva, who made the drawings of the book, and Magic Touch, which provided graphic design and editing support.
Özlem Özbekoğlu: “In our next project, we will open an exhibition of children’s paintings.”
Magic Touch Director Özlem Özbekoğlu, one of the founding members of the Süleyman Cengiz Eminoğlu Foundation (CENGO-V), stated that the purpose of the foundation was to keep all children alive, and in her speech at the opening, stated that she and Assist. Prof. Dr. Mutlu Soykurt Mutlu Soykurt was working on a book for the second time with similar purposes. Özbekoğlu said, “In 2015, we donated our book income to children with cancer, without knowing that we would come to this day. Today, this is our second project with Mutlu Soykurt, we are here today for the same purpose. “We thank you for everything we have experienced, we thank our dear friend for her sensitivity and thoughtfulness.” Özbekoğlu stated that in the next project they will also open an exhibition consisting of cards painted by children at the event.
Stating that the foundation was founded on children’s smiles and that they carry out studies in this direction, CENGO Foundation Founding President Özge Özbekoğlu said that there are two children’s park projects they have completed among the foundation’s works, and that work has started for the third park. Speaking at the opening, Özbekoğlu said that they will continue to work for children with such meaningful works. “Dear Mutlu Soykurt also chose to share such a meaningful project with us, I thank her very much.”,, she said.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Soykurt: “I hope that the book I wrote will be hope for all our children, make them happy, encourage them to hold on tightly to life, to start over, to be determined, to believe in the power of positive words.”
Speaking at the promotional event, the author of the book titled “Ali’s Magic Pen”, Assist. Prof. Dr. Mutlu Soykurt stated that she experienced many emotions while writing this book, which is dedicated to all children who have experienced or are experiencing cancer in their life journey. University of Kyrenia Faculty Member Assist. Prof. Dr. Soykurt stated that she went through a long and multi-dimensional process of learning while writing the book and said, “I set out to write this children’s book, trusting in the power of the pen in my hand, and trusting in the training I received, my observations, and the bittersweet experiences I gained.” Assist. Prof. Dr. Soykurt stated that during the book writing phase, she acted with expert opinions for content approval of the book. Assist. Prof. Dr. Soykurt emphasized that she completed this process with scientific and psychological research, benefiting from the knowledge and experience of these people. Assist. Prof. Dr. Soykurt also thanked the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East Enterprises, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, who supported her in this process, to Prof. Dr. Sabri Koç, Rüveyde Bundak, Mariya Goltseva, Magic Touch Family, her family and Psychologist Selen Üstüner and said, “I would like to thank Near East University Culture Publications, Cyprus Printing Global and Magic Touch for supporting me in the publication of the book. Thank you very much.”
Assist. Dr. Soykurt stated that the book is about a little boy to raise awareness about childhood cancers. Soykurt said, “This is a book written about happiness, about boosting morale and being hopeful… Ali, who thanks everything and everyone, has a very high morale and loves life, actually gives messages to all the children around him about vital values such as hope, friendship, sharing and gratitude. I hope that the book I wrote to emphasize these things; happiness, starting life over, determined stance, and positive thoughts, will be hope for all our children and fill their hearts with warm emotions.”
Assist. Prof. Dr. Soykurt stated that the book is about a little boy, to raise awareness about childhood cancers and said, “This is a book written about happiness, about boosting morale and being hopeful… Ali, who thanks everything and everyone, has a very high morale and loves life, actually gives messages to all the children around him about vital values such as hope, friendship, sharing and gratitude. I hope that the book I wrote to emphasize these things; happiness, starting life over, determined stance, and positive thoughts, will be hope for all our children and fill their hearts with warm emotions.”
Assist. Prof. Soykurt also stated that the character in his book is a boy named Ali, and said, “Ali is actually one of us who can express his feelings easily and as it is, cry, thank, and express his friendship simply and sincerely, as all boys should. He is a character who carries the message of the emotional responsibilities we, as a society, impose on boys.”
Mehmet Soykurt: “Near East Family always supports all work done for the benefit of society.”
In his speech at the event, Mehmet Soykurt, Member of the Board of Trustees of Near East Enterprises and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Enterprises Hospitals, congratulated author Soykurt, who has put her heart and high sense of responsibility into everything she has done for many years, and said that the Near East Enterprises has always supported all work done for the benefit of society.” Soykurt wished patience and healing to those who lost their loved ones due to cancer and those who have health problems, especially mothers, and thanked the CENGO Foundation for adding color to the lives of children with meaningful projects. “Life goes on despite everything, we must continue our journey by holding on to life tightly and believing that everything will be okay.”