4 solo painting exhibitions consisting of 109 artworks exclusively created by Kazakh artists Bakhytbek Talkambayev, Kazhybek Baimuldin, Murat Zhetpissaliyev and Shalkar Kabdesh for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts were opened by the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy.

According to the press information provided by the Near East University Directorate of Press and Public Relations, the opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy, Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, vice rectors, institute directors, deans, faculty members, artists and invited guests.

At the opening of the exhibitions, the Vice Rector of the Near East University. Dr. Tamer Sanlidag, Kazakh artists Bakhytbek Talkambayev, Kazhybek Baimuldin, Murat Zhetpissaliyev and Shalkar Kabdesh and Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy made speeches.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ; "Supporting the artist is investing in the future of society ”
Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said "Art is the most effective way to create common values of a society and it is a prerequisite for a community to leap forward. To support the artist is to invest in the future of society. Great leaders support artists by making special arrangements in this field. A society without art infrastructure cannot really meet science. New and creative scientific discoveries take place in societies having deep artistic backgrounds. Art gives birth to science and science gives birth to technology.

“Countries with talented artists have the power to make their voices heard in the world.”
"Art is a potential force. Countries with a strong sense of art and talented artists who can compete internationally have the power to make their voices heard in the world. It is obvious how much an international artist and international artistic activities have the power to promote. The Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and its great artists fulfill this mission on behalf of our country. In a society, everyone may not have artistic taste. But a society needs artistic individuals with strong artistic tastes. Think about a huge group of talented artists that thinks, produces and delivers all these activities to society. This group has been filling the exhibition halls on the Near East University campus for about a year. The same group continues to work selflessly to reach an artistic level around the world.

"The work of art is the product of a long way of reaching perfection. It brings us new messages. A permanent message is the bridge from one place to another. A true work of art is born from and parts from the artist; begins to lead a life on its own; becomes an independent subject, a personality. The work of art, like any living being, is the inexhaustible creative power.”

Every nation who wants to run with confidence in the future should protect its artists...
"An artist does not come forward easily. He is forced to go through many mazes of life and take many bumps until he reaches the stage of creation. He should always produce new and original works. He must be creative. Every nation that wants to run with confidence in the future should protect the artist. Because the artist is the bright side of society and always lives in the heart and spirit of the society. Humanity's development depends on their creativity. Today, we are opening four solo art exhibitions consisting of 109 works exclusively prepared by the four artists of Kazakhstan; Bakhytbek Talkambayev, Kazhybek Baimuldin, Murat Zhetpissaliyev and Shalkar Kabdesh for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. We would like to express our gratitude to all of our artists for being a part of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. This is the 174th. exhibition within the first year. I salute you with the wishes of many others and offer you my deepest respect and gratitude.”

Murat Zhetpissaliyev; "I am very happy to attend a symposium that unites the Turkish world”
Artist Zhetpissaliyev said in his opening remarks, "I thank you very much for participating in the opening of the exhibition and sharing this moment with me. I would like to say that I am very happy to be in the territory of Northern Cyprus and to participate in a symposium that unites the Turkic world. I would also like to extend my gratitude and respect to Founding Rector Suat Günsel for every step he has taken towards the spiritual development of societies and countries and for providing me with the opportunity to be here today and providing every support in our workshops.”

Bakhtybek Talkambayev; “I felt that the light of Hodja Ahmet Yassavi was pouring on me here..."
Kazakh Artist Bakhtybek Talkambayev in his speech said, “We have a city in southern Kazakhstan called Yassy Turkistan. In the 10th century, Hodja Ahmet Yassavi lived in that city. He was regarded as the center of the universe ve and thanks to his light, full of energy, goodness and happiness poured out to his 12,000 students. The enlightenment, inspiration and insight brought about by this light were instrumental in the creativity of the students. I felt that light poured into me in the process I was here." He concluded his remarks with a poem.

Kazhybek Baimuldin; “Today, we see the establishment of such a bridge through art in Northern Cyprus.”
Kazakh artist Kazhybek Baimuldin said, "Those who have heads have bowed their heads...Those with knees bowed their knees... They did not sleep at night, did not sit in the morning....They were sweating for the Turkish people without allowing the smooth flow of red blood flowing through the veins...”

He began his speech quoting the verses of "Kultegin", a literary work written for the Turkish khanate of political and military figures. He stated in his speech that these verses were written with runic letters on the stones and that the Orhun-Enissey script was the common language of Turkish people.

Artist Baimuldin, while talking about the closeness and unity of the Turkic peoples, referred to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words; "In the management of this friend ours, we have a language, a faith, a true brotherhood. We should be ready to back them up! Being ready ’is not just waiting for that day; nations, how do they prepare for this? Keeping spiritual bridges intact! Language is a bridge; faith is a bridge; History is a bridge! We need to connect history. We need a folklore bond. We need to build a language bond. Who will do this? Of course we!"

In continuation of his speech, he said; "The Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which has been built here today and will house the art and culture of the Turkish peoples, is a unique value and is a reflection of the great testament of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk."

Artist Kazhybek Baimuldin also said the following; “We know from civil engineering that bridges are being built from opposite sides. Today, we see the establishment of such a bridge through art in Northern Cyprus. We live this moment with the initiative and support of Founding Rector Suat Günsel and we are eternally grateful for this. We hope that this bridge will always exist. ”

Shalkar Kabdesh; "I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have made an effort to unite the Turkic world. I am proud to be a part of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, and I am very happy to have the opportunity to open my personal exhibition under its roof. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have made an effort to unite the Turkic world and wish my colleagues the success that comes at the edge of a brush."

Minister Tacoy; “It will now be our duty to make the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts a center of attraction“
Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Tacoy; “Everyone wants to create something, want to leave something after themselves, and it doesn't matter where it is. It can be in the Altai mountains, the steppes of Kazakhstan or in the small, young Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This desire carries light, energy, and lighting. We can see this in the 40-year history of Near East University, which opens up new horizons not only in education but also in science, art and lighting. Another event that I am excited about is the treasure that will be seen after about 53 weeks, or 373 days, which will be the opening day of Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. This is a unique treasury that will stand out among other things. It will be our duty to make this treasure invaluable and to promote the works in it and make it a center of attraction. We need to know the value of it and it is not just the university that owns this beauty that has been created with such a great effort. This beauty must be acknowledged by everyone who is the owner of the art, inspired by the energy of art, and we must continue on our way both by developing the life standards of our country and by showing how we can shed light in a different way in the future. Today, this is the opening of the 175th exhibition in a year, I think this will go to very different places. This art treasure is very valuable for our country and for us. Because the light of energy and inspiration will illuminate our lives. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have made efforts in this way.”

Silver Key Award and Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the artists and exhibition ribbons were cut
Following the speeches, the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy presented the Kazakh artists with the Silver Key Honor Award and certificates of gratitude and cut the exhibition ribbons. The exhibition will be open until 08 November 2019 between 08.00-16.00 on weekdays at the exhibition hall of the Faculty of Communication on the Near East University campus.