Two exhibitions including the exhibition of Uzbek Artists’ 40 pieces especially prepared for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and 25 pieces of Kazakh Artist Bahytkan Myrzahmetov have been opened by the Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the opening ceremony of the exhibition was held at Atatürk Culture and Congress Centre to which Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, Deputy Founding Rector Tamer Garip, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Özay Günsel Children’s University, Vice Rectors, University of Kyrenia Authorities, Deans, Academicians, Uzbek and Kazakh Artists and guests attended.

It was pointed out that at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Vice Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ made a speech on behalf of the Uzbek artists, alongside Mukhtarkhan Isanov and Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ: “An Incredibly Robust Art Bridge is Constructed from Asia to the Mediterranean …”
Making the opening speech of the exhibition, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ stated that an indestructible, solid art bridge that stretches from Asia to the Mediterranean was built with; as art is the most important element that establishes civilizations and flourishes cultures.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ pointed out that within the last eight months, this exhibition was the 32nd exhibition to take place on NEU campus. Under the leadership of Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, the artistic heritage, reality and mysticism of the Middle East with 7 Uzbek painters and together with Kazakh artist Bahytkan Myrzahmetov we will explore our invisible world together. He added that art-lovers currently had the opportunity to visit 8 different exhibitions of NEU campus.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ expressed that many artists created almost 8 thousand art pieces for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and that they were planning to reach 20 thousand pieces which are all rich in quality and quantity. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ also said that in addition to the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which is to be opened on 15 November 2020, together with the Cyprus Car Museum, National History Museum, Martime Museum, Herbarium and Natural History Museum a total of 7 museums will be brought to the service of art-lovers. He ended his words by stating that to summarise everything in a single sentence, that sentence would be that art has a unifying force and rejects all restrictions.

“Success is achieved all together and pride is lived all together…”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ while thinking about 30 years of education, science, art and innovation Near East University was the first institution to come in mind. He added that since the date of foundation, the Near East university is continuing to progress on the path to becoming the global information centre and that the university aimed to be among the top 500 universities of the world and therefore is continuing its academic and innovative studies steadily.

With its 20 faculties, 6 institutes, 32 research and application centres, 104 research and application laboratories, numerous research projects, 1200 international publications, and with more than a thousand academicians, one of which has a Nobel award, two which have TUBİTAK Science Award, 5 who are giving direction to science; who are among the 100 Turkish scientists the NEU is continuing to carry out this gruelling journey with the faith, effort, support and guidance of each individual member of the Günsel family. He said that success is achieved all together and pride is lived all together!

Mukhtarkhan Isanov: “This exhibition is the virtue of Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel…”
Speaking on behalf of the Uzbek artists, Mukhtarkhan Isanov began by expressing gratitude and respect to Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel and his family. He further stated that they were grateful Günsel family for bringing the Turkic world together and offering them this opportunity. He also said that the opening of the ceremony was not their own success but rather the virtue of Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel.

Minister Ataoğlu: “We will provide full support to the value which the Near East University gives to art…"
In his speech, Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu stated that they were fully aware of the value which the Near East University gives to art as they could see that the NEU values Turkic world artists, tries to integrate and involve art in each and every department of the university, and is increasing the number of event and activities involved in art. He added that they, as the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, could not keep up with the speed of developments and just by considering the events and activities held on campus, it was enough to the observe the value which the Near East University shows to art.

In addition to the above, Minister of Fikri Ataoğlu stated that a bridge was established via the art pieces from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and added that they were expecting to see the positive reflections of this. He ended his words by emphasising that they were to continue to support the Near East University while supporting art and thanked the NEU for making such positive contributions to the country.

Silver Key Honour Award was presented…
Subsequent to the speeches, the Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu presented thank you plaque to Uzbek artists. Later, Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu and Vice Rector of Near Eat University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ presented the “Silver Key Honour Award” to Kazakh Artist Bahytkan Myrzahmetov.

“I congratulate Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel as he is a true patriot!”
Speaking after being presented the award, Bahytkan Myrzahmetov expressed that he was happy to see everyone at the opening ceremony of his exhibition. He said that he was born and raised in a socialist country and thus was shaped and influenced by this. Furthermore, he said that the main idea in his country was that humans added value to everything and therefore, human figures were the basis in his art. He said that the name of the exhibition was “The Golden Steppe”. Moreover, he said that he tried to reflect the cultural palette of the Turkish world and the beauty and beauty of the soul of his people. He added that with his art pieces, he was also leaving a part of himself in Cyprus. He ended his words by stating that he wanted to congratulate and thank Dr Suat İrfan Günsel, as a true patriot, for his financial and moral contributions.

The exhibitions were visited…
It was expressed that subsequent to the presentation of thank you plaques and “Silver Key Honour Award”, the opening ceremony ribbon was cut and the exhibitions were visited. It was pointed out that the two exhibitions were available to visit until 14th May 2019, at 08.00-16.00 on weekdays.