When I think of celebration as we enter the FIFA World Cup season, I think first of footballers creating their own signature moment when scoring a goal. Some have been spectacularly silly and none more so than the “robot” by England forward Peter Crouch, who stood at over two metres high without his boots on. And no one ever celebrated a goal better than Roger Milla, the 38-year-old Cameroon forward, who performed his “corner flagstick” dance after scoring three spectacular goals as his side became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in 1990.

Thinking of iconic celebrations, the end of World War II brought people out into the streets, and photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the delirium of the Times Square party time when he snapped two strangers kissing—one in a navy uniform and the other apparently a dental assistant. Churchill’s “V” for victory also lays valid claims for the most recognised war-time celebration gesture.

The fact is we celebrate an enormous amount of things as we go through life. The birth of a child, the anniversary of an important event, the life of someone special, graduation from a school or college, passing our driving test, and, in the case of Koktail Magazine, having been in print for a year. That, to us, is a milestone. It brings to mind a quote from famed Indian-born American economist and Nobel Memorial Prize winner Abhijit Banerjee, who said, “Celebrate the excitement of trying build something new and wonderful.” Creating a new media brand and especially one that includes print as part of its offering has been exciting if not precisely wonderful at all times. There is genuine pride among the small group of us who decided to put this together a year ago and whose fourth issue you now have in your hands.

Coming back to sports, there have been occasions when celebrations have just been a tad too early. Sadly, these folks are etched in history as any YouTube search on the subject will show. At Koktail, we are under no illusion that things will be easy from now on and that our success is assured—quite the contrary, as we look to showcase the attributes of lifestyle brands with a focus on responsible luxury while advocating that all should be treated with respect and given equal opportunity.

But as Koktail completes its first year, let me leave you with a quote from Jürgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool football club who famously celebrates goals with a passion and somehow sees the positive in every result. “Life is too short not to celebrate great moments.” I will drink to that. One more gin and tonic, please.