Inspired by the cultural symbols of the Mediterranean and Cyprus, two exhibitions were opened at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall with a ceremony with the participation of President Ersin Tatar.

The first of the exhibitions held by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, the “Lycian Penteconthers and Apollons Ceramics Exhibition” of artist and academician Serdar Aslan, was created by dimensioning the possible appearances of the 5th century BC Lycian penteconthers throughout hard studies that lasted four years. These ancient galleys, which appeared in the Mediterranean in ancient times, left important cultural traces throughout history in Cyprus, the heart of the Mediterranean, as in the whole region. For this reason, the artworks prepared based on Lycian and Apollon coins stand out not only as valuable works of art but also as very important historical pieces.

Another exhibition that was opened brings together a completely different aspect of Cypriot culture with art lovers. “Cyprus Chest Motifs Writing Patterns Exhibition”, which brings together the works of Veliye Martı, one of the most important artists who made the art of writing alive by following the traces of the local motifs of the Cyprus chests, is extremely valuable in terms of carrying both these motifs and the two traditional arts such as chest carving and handwriting to the future.

Exhibitions opened by President Ersin Tatar at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall can be visited by art lovers until 15 August.

At the opening ceremony of the exhibitions, President Ersin Tatar, Near East University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, artist Serdar Aslan and Kadir Kaba on behalf of Veliye Martı delivered speeches.

President Ersin Tatar: “Artistic events not only provide a great service to the society, but also make an important contribution to the struggle for existence of the Turkish Cypriots.”
Ersin Tatar, President of the TRNC, who opened two exhibitions held by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, also made a speech at the ceremony.
President Ersin Tatar, who said that they opened two important exhibitions reflecting the Mediterranean and Cypriot culture, reminding that this year is the 47th anniversary of the 20 July Peace Operation and the 450th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus, said “We are proud to come from a lineage with roots and history. The exhibitions held by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which was established under the leadership of the Near East Enterprises, reveal the power of our roots.”

President Ersin Tatar pointing out that international artistic activities are not only a great service to the society, but also an important contribution to the struggle for existence of the Turkish Cypriots, emphasized that the achievements of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and the Near East Enterprises make the Turkish Cypriot community’s voice heard throughout the world.

President Ersin Tatar, who congratulated and thanked everyone who contributed to the realization of both exhibitions, ended his speech by emphasizing his sadness over the fire disaster in Turkey. At the end of his speech, President Tatar conveyed a message of getting well soon to the Motherland of Turkey for the fires that caused relentless loss of life and property in Turkey and said, “On behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, I wish God’s mercy on our compatriots who lost their lives in the fires, my condolences to their bereaved families, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.” President Tatar also noted that humanity is facing a new struggle due to terrorism and global warming.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Science, culture and art will continue to be our most important guide.”
Near East University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, on the other hand, at the beginning of his speech, expressed his sadness about the forest fires in Turkey, and said, “I convey my best wishes to our homeland and wish a fast recovery”. Stating that the exhibitions opened are one of the most valuable results of the rich culture and art environment created by the Near East Enterprises, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ reminded that artistic activities were also suspended for a period due to pandemic measures, and said, “The emptiness and deficiency we experienced in this period when cultural and art activities were suspended made us realize how important art, exhibitions and museums have become in our daily lives.”

Referring to the Cyprus Archeology Museum and the Maritime History Museum, of which establishments were announced by the Near East Enterprises last month, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We consider the Cyprus Archeology Museum, which will be established in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Near East Enterprises, as an outstanding monument that will bring the archaeological history of our Cyprus to light in terms of a unique breakthrough for the history, culture and art of our country. The 66-year-old TEAL Ship, which has spent the last 27 years raising dozens of captains as a training and research ship at the Near East University and the University of Kyrenia, will serve as a Maritime History Museum in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Near East Enterprises. It will also make a significant contribution to the maritime history of our country.”

Stating that the Near East Enterprises is continuing to serve to the Turkish Cypriot community with the museums, full-fledged hospitals founded by the Near East Enterprises, the protective nasal spray Olirin developed to fight against COVID-19 and the locally developed PCR Diagnosis and Variant Analysis Kit, the TRNC’s car GÜNSEL, of which mass production studies are continuing, world-class libraries, educational foundations and with many other initiatives, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “Science, culture and art will continue to be our most important guide on this path.”

Kadir Kaba: “It was very important to transfer this collection to future generations.”
Kadir Kaba, who made a speech on behalf of Veliye Martı, the artist of the “Cyprus Chest Motifs Writing Patterns Exhibition”, said that Veliye Martı’s collection was prepared with years of work and added as follows, “It was very important to pass this collection on to future generations. I would like to thank the Near East University and the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts for providing this opportunity.”

Serdar Aslan: “The ancient galleys of the Mediterranean embarked on a new journey after 2,000 years.”
Academician-artist Serdar Aslan, who has created the artworks in the “Lycian Penteconthers and Apollons Ceramics Exhibition”, said that he prepared his works by being inspired by numismatic works produced in Lycia, one of the important civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean. Aslan said, “Ancient galleys, which I think probably existed on the shores of Cyprus in the ancient times of the Mediterranean, went on a journey again after 2,000 years with this exhibition. I would like to thank the Near East Family for all their support for this journey.”