Organized by the Near East University Faculty of Architecture with the theme of “Embracing Intercultural Diversity” and carried out between 9-13 May 2022, the festival created a visual feast with the projects of architecture students from 30 countries who are studying at the faculty, bearing traces of their local cultures.

Inspired by the multicultural student structure of the Near East University, the festival was organized with the aim of creating new eclectic styles of cultural diversity, improving mutual learning and creating a creative environment.

Many projects and events were organized during the five days event
Architecture students from 30 countries, including Turkey, TRNC, Netherlands, Dubai, Nigeria, Palestine, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Morocco, Philippines, Mozambique, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra and Sudan, participated in the five-day event between 9-13 May and presented photographs and symbols of their own culture on the maps they prepared by making use of traditional and contemporary architecture through the eyes of an architect. The students determined the similarities and differences between their own countries and other countries by evaluating the maps related to other countries.

In the following days of the event, students who prepared “country posters”, “sketch (drawing) studies” and “country abstractions” projects, exhibited their materials in the courtyard of the Faculty of Architecture of Near East University.

In the country poster competition held, Nigeria won the first prize, Iraq the second and Palestine the third. During the award ceremony, the students danced with the local music from their countries, cooked dishes from their own country cuisine and offered them to other students.

Prof. Dr. Zeynep Onur: “Diversity is one of the most important keys to generating different ideas with different perspectives.”
Emphasizing the importance of diversity in architecture and design, Near East University Faculty of Architecture Dean Prof. Dr. Zeynep Onur said, “Diversity is one of the most important keys to producing different ideas with different perspectives. Today, one of the most important needs in every field is the creative idea. Teams that are a mix of people from different generations, genders, lifestyles, cultures and origins thrive.” Stating that they want to instill this awareness in their students, Prof. Dr. Onur said, “We aimed to bring our students from different countries together with an overview of architecture and art, so that they adopt the importance of multiculturalism.”