WE HAVE LOST NAILE GÖÇEN ÇUKUROVA, A PATRON OF CULTURE AND ARTS

Naile Göçen Çukurova, a prominent tourism investor in Kuşadası and the Chairperson of the Board of Göçtur, passed away after a long battle with illness. Known for bringing together artists from all over the world in Kuşadası through the international ceramics and painting workshops of the Mehmet Nuri Göçen Foundation, Çukurova was recognized for her support of the arts and her visionary personality.

MUTLU BAŞKAYA

To breathe life into a city, to touch the future with the language of stone and earth, is not something everyone is fortunate enough to experience. Naile Göçen Çukurova was an exceptional figure who, by taking her architectural expertise, aesthetic vision, and love of art beyond classical tourism, left indelible marks on Kuşadası and every life she touched.

She was not just a successful businesswoman or architect; she was an unwavering protector of culture, art, and labor, a visionary guide illuminating the path for young people. Her dedication in meticulously restoring the Old Town Tanneries, which formed part of Kuşadası's historical memory, and opening them up to art and life, was the most tangible testament to her deep respect for her city and humanity. It was this unique vision that transformed the barren, scrubland where the Pine Bay Hotel now stands, into a green space by planting individual pine trees, turning it not just into an accommodation facility, but into a veritable "museum hotel" adorned with works of art in every corner.

Through the international ceramics and painting workshops she initiated together with the esteemed ceramic artist M. Tüzüm Kızılcan, she brought together artists from all over the world in Kuşadası. These gatherings, held under the auspices of Pine Bay and DoubleTree by Hilton Kuşadası, added an international artistic dimension to the region. As someone who has participated in these workshops, organized under the Mehmet Nuri Göçen Foundation, many times, and had the honor of knowing Mrs. Naile Göçen and her precious family closely, I have personally witnessed her sincere passion for art, her appreciation for productivity, and her nurturing heart that prepares young people for the future.

Her untimely passing left a deep void in the art and tourism communities, among her loved ones, and in every heart that crossed her path. However, all the works she left behind, the hopes she nurtured, and the aesthetic legacy she contributed to the city's culture will continue to live on – as her name suggests, "Naile" – as a symbol of a life that achieved its purpose and left its mark. I wholeheartedly believe that her family will continue to uphold these values, which she brought to life with great effort and love, with the same determination.

Her memory, along with her inspiring life dedicated to art and humanity, will always be cherished with respect, love, and gratitude.