Near East University, which spreads its scientific activity throughout the world with the international collaborations it is involved in, also domestically continues to expand its collaborations in the fields of science, culture and art. Near East University, which renewed its long-standing cooperation protocol with the Supreme Electoral Board during the week, also signed a protocol with the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra. The protocol signed with the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra, which started its artistic career by giving its first concert nine years ago in the hall of the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center, formalized the long-standing cooperation between the two institutions. The protocol covers a wide range from organizing concerts to educational activities.
The signing ceremony held for the protocol, which came into force with the signatures of Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra Conductor Ali Hoca, was attended by the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra Coordinator Mustafa Kofalı as well as Atatürk Faculty of Education Dean Prof. Dr. Yağmur Çerkez, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design and Advisor to the Rector Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Ergün, Assistant Head of Music Teaching Department Assist Prof. Dr. Emine Kıvanç Öztuğ and lecturer of the Department of Music Teaching and Deputy Head of the Department of Fine Arts Education Assist. Prof. Dr. Erkan Sülün.
Events will reach wider audiences
Within the scope of the cooperation, which also aims to bring the cultural and artistic events organized to wider audiences, Near East University will provide hall and promotional support to the events of the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra. In addition, artist academicians and students of Near East University will take an active role in the artistic events to be organized. The two institutions will also continue to work together to strengthen the country’s cultural and artistic atmosphere by organizing joint concerts and artistic events.
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra is the apple of the country’s eye.”
Reminding that they cooperate with many institutions at home and abroad, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “The cooperation protocol we signed with the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra, which I see as the apple of the country’s eye, has a special place for us. Near East University has a living campus where art is included in life and, moreover, it draws the society into it. The projects and events we will carry out with our Presidential Symphony Orchestra will allow different branches of art to meet our society in a stronger way.”
Emphasizing that the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra is a great chance for the cultural and artistic life of the country, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Science, culture and art are the most important elements of social progress. As Near East University, while continuing our own studies in these areas, we also attach great importance to institutional collaborations. We consider the cooperation protocol we signed with TRNC PSO, one of the most important assets of our country, very valuable in this respect. We will be in continuous production with the aim of carrying this value even further.”
Mustafa Kofalı: “With this cooperation with Near East University, we will continue to make great contributions to the cultural and artistic life of our country.”
Narrating the historical journey of the orchestra at the signing ceremony, TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra Coordinator Mustafa Kofalı said, “We gave our first concert nine years ago, on a historic night, at the hall of the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center. Near East University has been a wonderful host to us, always supporting us in our art journey. We call this ‘our living room’, it is very valuable to us.”
Describing the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra’s start of activity nine years ago as ‘the beginning of a new era, a revolution’, Mustafa Kofalı said, “We have had extremely important concerts in terms of the art history of our country so far. With this collaboration with Near East University, we will continue to make great contributions to the cultural and artistic life of our country.”
TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra Conductor Ali Hoca, who signed the protocol on behalf of his institution, emphasized that symphonic orchestras need a strong atmosphere of coordination and cooperation. Hoca said, “A strong orchestra is only possible if many institutions work in harmony, just like the artists who make up the orchestra. Near East University is one of the institutions with which we have worked in great harmony since the first day. The cooperation protocol we signed will strengthen this harmony and move it forward.”