NEVER-ENDING ENERGY AND LOVE OF LIFE
THE LIFE OF LILI BAROKAS, THE SYCAMORE OF BALLET, WILL HAVE YOU UNDER ITS SPELL
Another book by Meri İstiroti, one of the veterans of the health sector, has found its place on the shelves. The book, titled “Sycamore of Ballet”, tells the story of the life of Madam Lili Barokas, one of the earliest ballet teachers of the republican era. The life of Madam Lili, who has never lost her passion for life and her discipline, despite recently celebrating her career jubilee, will also serve as an inspiration for future generations.
Meri İstiroti's ballet journey, which she began as a student of Madam Lili Barokas, lasted for 16 years. Having stated that she gained teachings which shaped her personality and life on this journey, Meri İstiroti, while seeking answers to questions such as how to live a quality life in old age, how to stay healthy, energetic, and most importantly, how to maintain a passion for life until the age of 100, was inspired by her ballet teacher, Madam Lili, who practiced this art professionally for 77 years. This inspiration led her to write the story of Madam Lili's life.
Madam Lili's energy is inspiring
Having mentioned that she was inspired by Madam Lili not only while writing the book but also throughout her life, Meri İstiroti described the journey of writing the book as follows: "I actually wanted to write this book for two reasons. When we reach our 40s and 50s, we begin to better understand ourselves and the values that make us who we are. In my 50s, I better understood what ballet and Madam Lili brought to me. Self-discipline, the strength to keep working no matter the circumstances, and the feeling of being well-groomed regardless of the conditions, have all stayed with me from those years. It can be said that ballet has shaped my life. I came across Madam Lili during a vacation this summer. She surpassed the youth in animations, dances, and all kinds of activities. Suddenly, lightning flashed in my head. Her never-ending energy inspired me."
It is possible to carve a profession out of passions
Although she met Madam Lili Barokas, who illuminated her path from the ages of 6 to 21, from time to time after her graduation, Meri İstiroti never thought about questions like the ones she had when they last met on those occasions. Meri İstiroti compiled the answers to such questions about Madam Lili, who took root in Turkish ballet history with the students she raised like a sycamore tree. These questions include: "How did her family react to her taking ballet training in her life that began before World War II? How did her husband, a gynecologist and obstetrician, consent to her work in those years? How did he view her art, and how did he support her while working non-stop during weekdays and on weekends for all these years? How did Madam Lili manage to begin her activities in the private sector when ballet education, which was very new and just beginning to sprout in the Republic of Turkey, was only offered at the State Opera and Ballet Conservatory? How did she manage to connect with other local and international artists? How did she establish contact with international ballet organizations and ensure that all her students received internationally recognized diplomas? How did she manage to continue her individual journey after retiring from her brilliant ballet teaching career, and after losing her husband in the meantime? Where did her life energy come from, in the past and now? How did she manage to stay in shape, thereby differentiating herself from her peers?"
The advice on both professional and personal life from Madam Lili Barokas, the Sycamore of Ballet, who has been in contact with hundreds of students, their families, and many others over 77 years, will offer young people a fresh perspective.