Those who are not familiar may think that the Grand Bazaar is a shopping arcade where tourists buy souvenirs or a place where vast amouns of gold is exchanged.
But the Grand Bazaar is hardly that. The Grand Bazaar is one our rare institutions which have been able to preserve its cultural identity over the centuries.
The Grand Bazaar is a place where all kinds of crafts come together. It has been the place where beauty, art and antiques have started their journeys or where they have stopped to start new journeys. People have come; people have gone; some living in memories; but the Grand Bazzar is a place where most is forgotten.
In remote corners of the Grand Bazaar work the craftsmen in their tiny cells: pipesmith ‹hsan; clothes mender Seyfettin; Tevfik who gives a new lease of life to old copperware; molder Erhan; the list goes on. They carry on producing with no concessions from their traditions and past.
We have many reasons to be happy. Let's have new dreams; Let's have a cultural center in the Bazaar and a grand auction hall. Let's have international auctions here. Let's get rid of the shabby constructions which surround us. Let's have a concert hall where famous musicians perform. Let's start to produce again. Let's once again start the day with smiling faces. Let's greet each other wheather we know each other or not. We have so many reasons to be happy.
The Grand Bazaar, with its past and its culture belongs not only to us but to the whole world.

We all dream of a country described by words in sentences starting with "If only…":
If only "There were no economic crisis!"
If only "There were no social crisis!"
But still we sail into desperacy as if we have lost all our hopes. I know; we are justified to feel that way. But, don't forget; we have many reasons to be happy and content. We possess a vast history and an incredible cultural wealth brought together by different languages and religions; a culture which nobody can deny. We have a 'Grand Bazaar culture' which fires, earthquakes and even poverty have not been able to destroy.