The “Republic Exhibition,” organized by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts in honor of Republic Day, October 29th, was opened by the President of the National Assembly, Ziya Öztürkler, with the participation of Cyprus veterans from Tokat, who came to the island at the invitation of Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel, Founding Rector of Near East University.
Organized as part of the Republic Day celebrations, the “Republic Exhibition” met with art lovers at the Exhibition Hall of the Atatürk Culture and Congress Center at Near East University. The exhibition, held by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art to honor the 102nd anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, was opened by the President of the National Assembly, Ziya Öztürkler, with the participation of Cyprus War veterans from Tokat.

The exhibition, exclusively prepared by academic artists from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at Near East University and artists from the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, brings together 50 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and printmaking.

The opening ceremony, which saw intense participation, was attended by the President of the National Assembly, Ziya Öztürkler, as well as the Rector of the University of Kyrenia, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, Rauf Denktaş University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karaca, and Şirin Zaferyıldızı Zaimağaoğlu, Director of the Department of Culture. The event also featured honorary guests of the Tokat Cypriot veterans, who participated in the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation and participated in the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle for freedom.

The opening speeches of the ceremony were delivered by Ziya Öztürkler, President of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Rector of Near East University, and Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at Near East University.

Ziya Öztürkler said: “It is our shared responsibility to keep the values of the Republic alive and to pass them on to future generations.”

In his speech at the opening of the exhibition, President of the Republican Assembly, Ziya Öztürkler, stated that the struggle for freedom and sovereignty waged under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk laid the foundations of the Republic of Turkey. Öztürkler, noting that they will soon celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus proudly, emphasized the importance of passing on the values of the republic and independence to future generations. Emphasizing that the republic is not merely a form of government but also a symbol of a nation’s will for independence and freedom, President of the National Assembly, Öztürkler, said, “It is our shared responsibility to keep the values of the Republic alive and pass them on to future generations.”

In his speech, President of the National Assembly, Ziya Öztürkler, also expressed his gratitude to the veterans of Tokat who fought for the Turkish Cypriots in the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, emphasizing the importance of preserving and respecting the past. Öztürkler stated that art is one of the most effective ways to shed light on the future while respecting the past. He stated that the works in the exhibition demonstrate the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for independence, freedom, and sovereignty, and the achievements of their artists.

“The work carried out under the leadership of Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel has made significant contributions to the art of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” said Ziya Öztürkler, President of the National Assembly, adding, “We politicians can only talk about art and culture in words. However, what truly matters is actively participating in art, bringing it to life, and keeping it alive. Thanks to Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel’s vision, Near East University continues to successfully implement these ideals.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Instilling in our students the courage to think, produce, and create is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to us by the Republic.”

Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “It’s enough to look at this hall to see what the Republic means. Because here we see not only the works of art, but also the labor, sharing, and culture of collaborative production behind them.”

Emphasizing that art is the Republic’s most powerful language, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “The Republic placed art at the center of life. Art forms such as music, painting, theater, literature, and sculpture have become important fields that shape the worldview of the people of the Republic.” Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “As Near East University, we are working to entrench these achievements of the Republic through science, education, and art.” Emphasizing their commitment to equal opportunity in education, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Instilling in our students the courage to think, produce, and create is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to us by the Republic.”

Prof. Erdal Aygenç: “The Republic has created a foundation where artists can produce while preserving their individual freedoms.”

In his speech at the opening of the exhibition, Prof. Erdal Aygenç, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, stated that the enlightenment philosophy and movement, which gained momentum with the Republic, developed to encompass all areas of art. Emphasizing that the value placed on art and artists was one of the Republic’s most important achievements, Prof. Aygenç recalled the importance Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk placed on art with the following words: “If a nation is deprived of art and artists, it cannot have a full life. Such a nation is like a sick and disabled person, lame in one leg and crippled in one arm. In fact, even this statement cannot express the meaning I intend. A nation deprived of art means that one of its lifeblood has been severed.”

Prof. Aygenç stated that artists have always played a significant role in the Republic’s modernization process. Erdal Aygenç said, “The state has provided a trusting environment for artists, it has developed policies that support national art, protect artists, and encourage them. Projects such as the State Painting and Sculpture Exhibitions have been of great importance in promoting art and strengthening the place of artists in society.”

Prof. Erdal Aygenç emphasized the Republic’s significant role in establishing a solid foundation for the developing Turkish art scene, saying, “The Republic has provided a foundation where artists can produce while protecting their individual freedoms. It has provided artists not only the freedom to create but also the security of their livelihood.”