The exhibition of the photography contest with the theme of Cyprus Turkish National Struggle organized by the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum, which is one of the institutions of the Near East University Educational Foundation, was opened by Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman.

According to the press info released by the Near East University Press and Public Relations Directorate, the Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman, the Republic of Turkey Embassy in Nicosia Representative Kadir Akçeşme, Central Governor Ahmet Arslan, Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel, Rector of Girne University Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, vice rectors, deans, lecturers and photographers participated at the opening ceremony of the exhibition of "Cyprus Turkish National Struggle" held at the exhibition hall of the Irfan Günsel Congress Center.

In the opening ceremony of the exhibition, where the award winners were also pronounced, the Founding President of the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum. Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul and Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman delivered a speech.

Professor Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul: “We want to unite science and art..."
Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul emphasizing that one of the missions of the Cyprus Turkish National Museum that was established within the body of Near East University Foundation is the exhibitions, stated that they want to improve the inventory of the museum.

Prof. Özkul stated that they have previously held an exhibition with the theme of "Dr. Fazıl Küçük and National Struggle" and that the events will continue and the main complex of the museum that will open its doors to visitors will be significant mark of the island.

Emphasizing that their aim is to combine science and art, Prof. Dr. Özkul said, “Like a bird. A bird must have two wings to be able to fly. You can fly if you can combine both of these, as is the philosophy that one of the wings must be science, and the other must be art. We need to be able to transfer this philosophy to the younger generations.

Prof.Ali Efdal Özkul, "...the existence of Turkish Cypriots on this land was possible with the struggle of our ancestors and transforming this legacy to our next generations is a must. In this regard, the Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel pioneered, encouraged and provided opportunities to achieve our objectives...". Özkul expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to the exhibition.

Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman: "This exhibition is putting an important mark in history..."
Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman stating that the exhibition put an important mark into the history and revealed important signs about what to do next, emphasized that he was very happy to participate in a new event that brought science and art together at the Near East University. Indicating that the activities of the Near East University in the field of art in recent years are admirable, Prime Minister Erhürman said that this is a great pride. Tufan Erhürman stating that the exhibition carries deep meanings and reflects the struggle that the Turkish Cypriot people gave to continue existence, said "The Turkish Cypriot people are still continuing their struggle for existence. This struggle phase is the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people to continue their existence in economic and social terms in the world and this is a struggle to say "I am here". In doing so, you need to get motivation from the past struggles. Some museums tell the stories of something happened and of something that is still continuing. The Turkish Cypriot National History Museum will also describe a struggle that will not end".

Prime Minister Erhürman emphasizing that the struggle should be done not only with science and knowledge, but also with art, stated that it is very important that the Near East University places art on the side of science and that the incomplete wing of the academy has now been completed and has risen in the right direction. Tufan Erhürman, who added that the exhibition consists of two parts, congratulated those who developed the project.

Prime Minister Erhürman presented awards...Elif Nihal Yazıcı becomes the winner of the Photography Contest...
The awards were given by Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman. Elif Nihal Yazıcı received the first prize, Veysi Canateş won the second and Ayşe Kocaismail won the third prize.

Honorable Mention Awards and Jury Special Award presented...
In addition to winners' prizes, the jury special award was presented to Selim Doğan by the Republic of Turkey Embassy in Nicosia Representative Kadir Akçeşme, the honorable mention awards were given to Huseyin Aşkaroğlu, Kemal Atay and Ayse Gökyiğit.

Certificates of Honor and Certificates of Appreciation were presented...
In the category of photographs taken during the national struggle years, certificates of honor were presented to the artists who contributed to this category.

Mehmet Şık, Osman Rekor, Mehmet Yıltay, Anders Arvidsson, Mehmet Amca, Yusuf Özkum, Halil Irkım, Biray Canateş, Cevdet Koççatlı, Rıfat Şık, Oktay Öksüzoğlu, Ersin Taşer and İlkay Salihoğlu received the certificate of honor.

In the category of photographs taken at the places where the national struggle took place, Halil Irkım, Gülnur Tokyay, Ramadan Gümüşok, Eralp Adanır, Şükrü Tolgalı, Ayla Atay, Tevfik Ulual, Gürem Bulunç and İlker Gelişen were given a certificate of appreciation. In addition, the plaque was presented to the members of the Selection Committee.The exhibition will be open to visitors for a month.

After the presentation of awards and plaques, the opening ribbon of the exhibition was cut and the exhibition was visited. The photo exhibition consisting of 190 photos taken by local and foreign photographers on the theme of Turkish Cypriot National Struggle will be visited for one month during the week between 10.00 and 12.00 hours.