Tabella is a thing which has been passed around us for around two years. Every once in a while, I see a total stranger sharing a Facebook post about an article by people whom I happen to know quite well. Tabella has been a tool to let this happen.

Around two years ago, when we were trying to bring a team of authors for the first issue of Tabella one of our main challenges was our inability to correctly address what Tabella was. We were not planning a newspaper, we were certainly not planning a blog. This was unprecedented, it was just us writing about anything and everything.

At the end we settled down for the term "e-magazine". However, I have always thought Tabella more as a think tank. It became, in the end, something similar to a think tank. Even though we still have quite a long journey ahead of us, we have already surpassed a few checkpoints. When we compare today with the day before Tabella started, it is not hard to notice that we managed to create a voice to be heard, and made it heard.

"Tabella" literally means a (road) sign, a plaque in Cypriot Turkish. This tabella we are under shows only a way forward, but not a side. Our independent nature, and aim of creating a safe-space for people regardless of their ideologies is represented by our logo and our name.

Today, the introduction of Tabella English will be another step forward in this journey to let more people hear this voice. We will let the international community know what does the youth of this tiny little group of people - called Turkish Cypriots - think on both current matters and beyond.

Coming from a tiny population with almost no self-confidence, this generation has been forming a confidence amongst each other. I am proud of what we achieved with Tabella, yet more excited to think what else we could achieve from now on.

When we started Tabella 100 weeks ago in October 2018, I was hopeful that this Tabella would always point forward. When I look back, I am more than happy to see it has been that way. Today, with this step forward we are progressing into a new level. We were heard up to now, we will be heard more from now on.

Please take your seat and fasten your seatbelt, Tabella English is ready to go!