Four solo painting exhibitions consisting of 92 artworks exclusively made for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts by Tatarstan artists Viktoriia Egorova, Vitalii Petrov, Rustam Gabbasov and Kazakh artist Akhmetzhan Akhatbakiyev, and a group exhibition consisting of 31 artworks of Zhailaubay Baisalov, Fatima Moldabayeva, Nina Terechshenko and Bakhtygali Bakhtyek were opened by the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy.

According to the information provided by the Near East University Directorate of Press and Public Relations, the opening ceremony started with the participation of the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy, Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel, Vice Rector, directors of the Institutes, deans, faculty members, artists and invited guests.

At the opening of the exhibition, the Vice Rector of the Near East University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Khashimjan Kurbanov on behalf of Kazakh artists, Viktoria Egorova from Tatarstan, Akhmetzhan Akhatbakiyev, Rustam Gabbasov, Vitalii Petrov and Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy made a speech. Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ stated in his opening remarks that within the scope of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts project they have realized the 170th exhibition with the exhibitions of Kazakh artists Egorova, Petrov, Gabbasov and Akhatbekiyev this year. He also emphasized that 606 works of 49 artists from 9 different countries, 8 group and 16 solo exhibitions are awaiting for the art lovers at the exhibition halls on the Near East University Campus.

Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts project is freedom...
In his opening speech, he shared some of his observations and notes about the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ; “Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts project is freedom. As many of our artists have stated, the Near East University campus has created an ideal art production environment for artists. This free environment allows artists to transcend themselves and develop their art further. We witness how the artist's creativity is valued at the highest level and how much a civilized, cultural and spiritual society respects art."

Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts project is encouraging...
“On the one hand, it provides opportunities for young and promising artists to discover themselves and push their boundaries, and on the other hand, it is an opportunity for an artist to take an inner journey. Dogdurbek, Fergani, Silver Key, and the awards like these rivet these journeys.”

Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts is an Art Shrine...
Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ; "This definition belongs to an artist, not to me. However, this is a definition that I agree with to the end. It's more than just a museum. Not only architects, engineers, and workers do work during the construction process. Along with these, artists are building the temple.”

Şanlıdağ further stated that the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts is a worldwide projection, and on the one hand, artists from the Turkic countries and on the other hand, artists from other countries are gathering and meeting in this geographical location, thanks to project, and that the Museum is bringing in new names to the world of art, and that it is one of the most exciting initiatives leading to new artistic discoveries.

Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and the future...
Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ; “What the future will show us! After the next 50 years, 100 years! We will not be witnesses of future, but our children will be, of course. It is one of my personal concerns. Time will show its value, but I seem to have reached some tips. I will quote you from an artist's comment. Talents are created here, creative talents create a masterpiece, because all the conditions for painting are provided. The University is now the engine of modern art. Thousands of paintings will be masterpieces of world art.”

Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and the guide...
"Thanks to the vision and guidance of our teacher, Suat Hoca, this project will realize a first in the world. Our teacher Suat Hoca is the illuminative figure, as usual. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the contributors of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and to thank you for participating in the opening of the exhibition.

Kurbanov; "We had the opportunity to touch the rich history and beautiful nature of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ”
Speaking on behalf of Kazakh artists, Khashimjan Kurbanov said, "I would like to express our gratitude on behalf of all Kazakh artists for sharing this moment with us. We learned new techniques, met talented artists from different countries, found new friends and became a whole in a short time. We also had the opportunity to touch the rich history and beautiful nature of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. I would like to express my gratitude to Founding Rector Suat Günsel and his family. I would like to say that we are proud to be a part of Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. I would like to express my gratitude to the entire Near East family for their warm welcome, support and attention."

Viktoriia Egorova; "The place where I am now is a dream of many artists but for me, it is a reality”
Viktoriia Egorova, a young artist from Tatarstan, said, "I'm very excited, so I have difficulty in expressing myself. The place where I am now is a dream of many artists but for me it is a reality. Opening a solo exhibition on the territory of Northern Cyprus is the greatest gift I have ever received. I had a really full life while I was working here. Spending time with people and artists with the same mentalities is a very valuable experience. I am at the point of rediscovering my own potential, moving to new horizons, setting new goals. I'm leaving this country as another person. I've been thinking that I'm a well-formed artist. I have my own style, colors, but the opportunity provided to me by Founding Rector Suat Günsel showed me that there is no limit and no base in art. After I met you, a new era has began in my life. My soul is cleansed and prospered. I felt the potential to go on and on, my dreams came true. I will never forget that.”

Akhmetjan Akhatbakiyev; "Turkish world is gathering and unifying under the roof of Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts”
Tatarstan artist Akhmetjan Akhatbakiyev; “It is a great pride for me to stand on this stage today. I share with you my graphic works from the Soviet period and leave my works with you. My contribution to this great project is just a little part of my studies. I have never met a person who has such a deep thinking and spiritual wealth like Dr. Suat Günsel. I'll never forget that. Under the umbrella of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, the Turkish world is gathering and unifying in a distinct atmosphere. I would like to thank Suat Günsel and the family of the Near East University.”

Rustam Gabbasov; "You added an art soldier to the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts project team...”
Another artist from Tatarstan, Rustam Gabbasov; "I would like to start by expressing my gratitude. I am grateful for this opportunity and for engaging me in this beautiful environment. You can assume that you have added a soldier, art soldier to the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts project and your team. I would like to invite you to my homeland, to the city of Kazan. Once again, I extend my gratitude to you all."

Vitalii Petrov; “A Turkish artist draws the Turkic world with Turkic colors”
Chuvashian artist Vitalii Petrov; "I am happy to be among the artists coming from all corners of the Turkic world and studying with them. The world of art of the 21st century came to be extremely complex and interesting as new ideas and names, materials and technologies have emerged. French and Italian groups, great Russian experiment, Mexican paintings, abstract art and abstract poetry. Diego Riviera, S. Siqueiros and Orozco, Picasso and Kandinsky, Antonio Gaudi, Velimir Khlebnikov, Vasily Kamensky. I am sure that different subjects, compositions, color schemes and styles of the arts of the Turkic world will develop in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. A Turkish artist draws the Turkish world in Turkic colors, just as we can distinguish Mexican wall paintings from Russian icon paintings, Japan and Iran miniatures and engravings, so that the future generations will be able to make out these differences."

Minister Taçoy; "We are very lucky to have a treasure like Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts in our country…"
Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy said, "606 artworks from 9 different countries are currently being exhibited at the exhibition halls of the Near East University campus. When we thought about it a year ago, it would seem strange. We are very fortunate to have a treasure like the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts in our country. This treasure is both a proof of the existence of the state and the proof of our future. When we imagine how we look at the future with this vision, and what we want to see in future, I cannot constrain myself from congratulating our Founding Rector Suat Hoca, who came up with the idea of Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts as a part of Near East University.”

"Together with the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, this country will take advantage of these beauties for centuries. ”
"When you look at these paintings, you will see some of them having a sophisticated structure of thinking, some of them representing the works of folk artists on behalf of their community, and the pictures showing the historical features of daily life in their own countries and the cultural experiences that have come to date. On the other hand, the thought that takes you to the deepest of thought stands out and creates a vortex. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this treasure and these works. Together with the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art, this country will take advantage of this beauty for centuries."

Dogdurbek and Silver Key Award and Certificates of Gratitude were presented to the artists and the exhibition ribbon was cut...
Following the speeches, the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy handed out the certificates of gratitude to the Kazakh artists, and the Tatar artists Viktoriia Egorova received the Dogdurbek Nurgaziev Award, Rustam Gabbasov received the Silver Key Honor Award, Kazakh artist Akhmetzhan Akhatbakiyev and Chuvashistan artist Vitalii Petrov received the Silver Key Honor Award, and the exhibition ribbons were cut. The exhibition will be open until 08 November 2019 between 08.00-16.00 on weekdays at the exhibition hall of the Near East University Hospital.