Ukrainian artist Petro Smetena's solo exhibition consisting of 17 artworks exclusively made for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art was opened by the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy.

According to the information provided by the Near East University Directorate of Press and Public Relations, the opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy, Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, vice-rectors, institute directors, deans, faculty, artists and invited guests.

At the opening of the exhibition Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Ukrainian artist Petro Smetena and Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy made a speech each.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ “Museums are institutions that serve the society and development, conduct research, collect works, protect, share information and have continuity..."

Near East University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ in his opening remarks said "Museums, a social engineering tool that incorporates traces of the past, instill certain values, etiquette and appreciation, are in the service of society and development, and they are open to the public, their major responsibility is conducting research on national values, collecting and protecting materials. They are institutions that share information and have continuity."

Prof. Şanlıdağ: “Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts will unite world art in Cyprus”
Prof. Şanlıdağ emphasized "Cyprus Museum of Modern Art is a unique establishment that brings together artists from many countries, provides freedom in creativity and unites world art in this geography. This monumental establishment consists of 4 permanent collection halls, 2 temporary collection halls, 2 photo exhibition halls and 3 sculpture collection exhibition hall with a total of 14 halls. In addition, a 120-person cinevision and conference room, VIP and guest lounge, 2 panoramic elevators, studios and laboratories for the analysis and restoration of rare artifacts, special sound and light infrastructure, photo studio, photography and restoration laboratory, expert offices, cinevision hall, meeting rooms, air-conditioned warehouses for the protection of private works, repair and maintenance workshops will also be in service. Along with all these, a fully equipped library to shed light on the history of art, archives and souvenir sections will be available."

Professor Şanlıdağ; “Nearly 1500 artists took part in Cyprus Modern Art Museum Project"
Prof. Şanlıdağ; ’So far, nearly 1500 artists from abroad participated in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art Project. Within the scope of this great project, many workshops have been held and 206 exhibitions have been opened in the last year. The number of works produced exceeded 20,000. Together with the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which will open on November 15, 2020, 7 museums in total will serve to art lovers. These are the Car Museum, Herbarium and Natural History Museum, the National History Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Knife and Sword Museum and the Miniature Car Museum. The number of materials for all the museums that will operate on campus has reached 100,000. Today, we are together at the opening of the solo exhibition of Ukrainian artist Petro Smetana. The name Smetana will be written on one of the bricks of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. I would like to express my gratitude to all of our artists, and especially to each individual member of Günsel family, for the realization of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project."

Petro Smetena, "I'm happy to be part of a unique, spectacular project"
Ukrainian painting artist Petro Smetena, whose solo exhibition would be opened, started by saluting the protocol and guests. “My exhibition which will be opened today is my 20th solo exhibition. And I am very happy that this exhibition is taking place in the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and at the Near East University. I would like to say that I am very happy that my works will take place in Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. I am happy to be part of a unique and wonderful project like the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and the kind invitation of Founding Rector Suat İ. Günsel and I would like to thank you for providing me with this opportunity.”

Minister Tacoy; “A total of 7 museums and a great treasure together with the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts...”
Economy and Energy Minister Hasan Tacoy in his speech said; "One of the most prominent places in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is perhaps the Near East University, which is probably ahead of many places in the world and should probably be included in the Guinness Book of Records. Seven museums... Not only the modern art museums... More than 100.000 works, not only paintings but also sculptures. This is a really great treasure and I'm really happy to have it."

Minister Taçoy; “I've never seen the technique I saw in the exhibition today”
"In order to reflect the emotion in a person, he had to know himself first and he had to express himself in a very different way. I participated in many painting exhibitions. I've never seen the technique I saw in the exhibition today. The artist has a kitchen of his own, a different taste, a different enthusiasm, a different desire. It is a different beauty for a music artist to paint and exhibit in the form of a poet's own writing and in harmony given by a composer who does it. Again, I would like to remind you that after about 340 days, we will reach a day we look forward to with excitement and pride, and we will experience a great beauty. All of these beauties will take place at the Near East University. I would like to thank all the artists who contributed to this situation. The products of their hard work really excited us all. It helps us look at the future in a very different way, and what they have given us is a situation that illuminates every passing day and rests our souls. ”

Artist Petro Smetena was presented with the Silver Key Honor Award and Certificate of Appreciation, then exhibition ribbon was cut.
After the speeches, Petro Smetena, whose solo exhibition would be opened by Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy, was presented the Silver Key Honor Award and the certificate of appreciation. The exhibition can be visited at the exhibition hall of the Near East University Faculty of Medicine between 08.00-16.00 on weekdays until 27 December 2019.