National History Museum To Be Established To Shed Light On Turkish Cypriots History By Joint Decision Of Boards Of Trustees Of University Of Kyrenia and Near East University
The National History Museum which will shed light on the history of Turkish Cypriods will be established by the joint decisin of the boards of trustees of Universty of Kyrenia and Near East University. University of Kyrenia and Near East University, in addition to scientific missions and responsibilities so far incurred, are now incurring another historic responsibility and decided to establish the National History Museum, which will shed light on the struggle of existence of Turkish Cypriots throughout the historical process, through the support and encouragement of experienced statesman Cemil Çiçek and 35 academicians teaching in the social and human sciences fields of University of Kyrenia and Near East University.
According to a press statement released by the Press and Public Relations Directorates of Near East University and University of Kyrenia, the studies to establish the largest and most comprehensive National History Museum, which will become the largest museum of its kind, include the most comprehensive data of the 445 years of history of Turkish Cypriots and shed light on the history of Turkish Cypriots, has started with support and encouragement of the experienced statesman Cemil Çiçek, former Chairman of Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and of 35 experienced academic staff teaching in social and human sciences fields of the Near East University and University of Kyrenia. Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, head of Department of History Teaching, will be the executive chairman of the project of establishing the National Museum History.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Near East University; "The story of the past history of a nation is the inevitable determinant of the breaking points of the future history of that nation..."
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Near East University, making a statement regarding the establishment of the National History Museum, said "Each people, each nation has a story, has a national history. Turkish Cypriots have experienced a similar experience of the ones lived throughout the existence struggles and nationalization process. However, there are some very significant differences which make the Turkish Cypriots' national history different than others. Since the very first date Turkish Cypriot stepped into the island 445 years ago, they struggled a lot to protect their existence, their cultural values, to own all the values that create a nation, moreover, paid too big prices to protect all their values and to pass on their much valuable heritage to their next generations. We are thankful to our ancestors as we now live on their heritage. The Near East University and Kyrenia University are both the results of this invaluable heritage we have owned from our ancestors. Like all the Turkish Cypriots who have their roots in this country, the Near East University and Kyrenia University, with all their employees and students reaching up to tens of thousands today, have an eternal dept of gratitude to those who passed that ineffably invaluable heritage on us. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel also said "Since the establishment of Near East University and University of Kyrenia, since telling about the steps we have taken in this country, since telling about the every brick we have laid on each other, we have mentioned all about taking deep roots in this country. Our Founding Rector, Dr. Suat Günsel have always adviced and guided us to take deep roots in this country, saying "take deeper roots every passing day, take so deep roots in your island so that taking us away from this country will be impossible, so that the nation feel themselves more and more confident, so that the youngs take more power from their roots."
Günsel also added,"As the Near East University, all the investments so far carried out in education, art and in health issues are based on this philosophy. Today we have taken steps to design another pattern for our objectives. We have decided and taken steps to establish the National History Museum in order to tell ourselves better to next generations and make the next generations identify themselves better. The main theme of the museum will be telling the national struggle for existence of Turkish Cypriots by using the most contemporary audio visual devices. As the theme is depicted through audio visual presentation, subjects such as devices, clothes, objects and social environment within which they were used will also be exhibited".
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel: "The museum will be audio visual feast..."
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel pointed out "No matter how much you try to take roots, if you fall apart from your past, from your history, and if your knowledge fall short about your roots, your roots cannot be strong enough to survive. In the museum, the history of Turkish Cypriots starts with the conquest of Cyprus in 1571. The British Colonial Period, establishment of Republic of Cyprus, and the national struggle years for existence starting from 1955 takes place as the main theme of the museum. Audio visual materials and documentaries, important written documents as well as traditional clothes, guns, transportation vehicles representing the characteristics of their time will also be exhibited. All presentations in the museum will be in Turkish and English languages. The museum will be established within a 2000 square meter indoor area. We are targeting to create a place where the young people will be able to figure out the struggles for existence and the near future, and experience the cultural values with great interest within a realistic environment."
Scientific Committee of 35 Subject Specialists
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel also stated that a scientific committee of 35 subject specialists has also been effectuated and Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul appointed as the executive director of the committee. The committee has already started intensive studies to open the museum on 20 July 2016, and the scientific committee will also receive support from the faculties of Fine Arts and Architecture, and if necessary, technical support and assistance will be obtained from overseas.
Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul: "The project is very sensational and we are open to all sort of suppor..."
Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, executive chairman of the scientific committee, made a statement about the studies and said that the museum will be a first in the island and the lack of such a museum has always been felt. Özkul saying that the project is very exciting and thrilling for all Turkish Cypriots, also added that they are open to all sort of support and requested everyone to come up with any kind of material that reflect the previous terms of history. Prof. Özkul stated that all materials and documents will be exhibited with courtesy of the owners, and even a photo coming from shadows of past is much valuable to pass on the values of past to future. Those who wish to provide the committee with support can contact via [email protected] or 03922236464(internal 516).