The survey carried out to identify figures whose statues will be displayed at the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum has been completed…
Date Added: 09 February 2019, 11:14
Last Updated Date:19 November 2020, 15:25


Functioning under the body of Near East University Foundation of Education, the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum initiated a survey on 28th December 2018 so as to identify figures who have made their mark, who may be currently alive or have passed away, to be exhibited at the museum.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, two thousand participants simultaneously took part in the survey via the internet, newspapers and in the field to decide on the 20 valuable figures for the Turkish Cypriots to be exhibited initially at the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum. Resultantly, it was stated that the making of the 20 statues of the decided figures had begun.

The survey of the 2 thousand participants have been completed with different methods…
The survey was completed in 6 main areas, Nicosia Kyrenia, Famagusta, Güzelyurt, Iskele and Lefka and the streets were chosen randomly. It was stated that the survey was completed by 40 surveyors and one in every three homes were included in the research. During the survey, it was stated that gender and age demographic features were considered. Moreover, it was stated that in addition to questions regarding the determination of the pieces to be exhibited at the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum, there were also items to determine the socio-demographics of the participants. Providing further details, it was expressed that 1000 people participated in the field application of the survey; whereas 1000 people participated in the survey via the internet, making a total of 2000 participants. As a result of the survey, the most wanted 20 figures to be displayed at the museum was determined.

The satisfaction of being able to show loyalty has been expressed…
Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Founder of the Managing Board of the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum, Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, made a statement and expressed that in order to pass information to future generations, the  statues of significant figures of the society who have left their traces on the Turkish Cypriot community, either in political or social life, will be exhibited at the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum.

In addition to the above, it was stated that since Cyprus Turkish National History Museum is actually an essential part of the Turkish Cypriots, and just as it is done with the 20 statues of the significant figures to be exhibited, the rest of the contents of the museum will be shaped in conformance of the Turkish Cypriots. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Özkul expressed that as the Near East University they were rather happy and satisfied to have created the opportunity to show their loyalty to those who have made their mark on the Turkish Cypriots throughout history.

In accordance with the result of the survey completed, the 20 statues which will be displayed at the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum are as follows:

1Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
2Kamran Aziz
3Rauf Raif Denktaş
4Bülent Ecevit
5Necmettin Erbakan
6Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
7Dr. Suat İ. Günsel
8Namık Kemal
9Dr. Fazıl Küçük
10Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu
11Osman Örek
12Mısırlızade Necati Özkan
13Özker Özgür
14Sokollu Mehmet Paşa
15Lâla Mustafa Paşa
16Ziya Rızkı
17Sultan II. Selim
18Naci Talat
19Cengiz Topel
20Mehmet Zekâ

*The list is alphabetized by last names.