A record number of visitors to the exhibition that opened in Istanbul by Near East University
Unknown Aspects of Çanakkale Naval Wars Exhibition, which was the first exhibition that held in Turkey by TRNC within the scope of the 100th anniversary events of Canakkale Victory (Dardanelles Naval Victory) and Martyrs’ Day, was flocked by hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign visitors during the period that was open for visit.
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the Near East University, the exhibition, which was held in Rahmi Koç Museum in Istanbul, was visited by a record number of 216.116 persons including thousands of tourists visiting Istanbul from different countries of the world, many Turkish visitors willing to deepen their knowledge in the light of intellectual and visual artifacts, and students studying in primary, secondary and high schools in Turkey.
A significant sample of NEU's world-embracing projects bearing the signature of islander
Delivering an explanation on the issue, Near East University Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel, underlined that they felt the pride and honor of bringing hundreds of thousands visitors together with such an important exhibition, which is a rare sample of NEU’s mission aimed at shaping the future in the light of scientific studies. Highlighting that the exhibition of Unknown Aspects of Naval Wars had been one of the most meaningful, the most significant and the most emotionally charged example of the artistic, historical, and scientific activities that actualized by Near East University so far, Günsel noted that they would also open this valuable exhibition in Cyprus in a near future.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel highlighted the significance of leaving the “islander” mark on such an important and comprehensive artistic and historical event in the 100th anniversary of this glorious victory, which has a distinguished place in Turkish and world history. “The international interest shown in this important exhibition that we organized together with Rahmi Koç Museum in motherland to commemorate the martyrs and celebrate the Çanakkale victory, which has changed the course of socio-economic and political history, is a sample of NEU's world-embracing projects bearing the signature “islander”. To this end, as NEU we generate social responsibility projects every year and organize various activities open to public visit in order to provide contribution to social and cultural life of TRNC. We are committed to making efforts and sparing no sacrifices to take TRNC forward. We have organized very significant activities to celebrate Çanakkale Victory and commemorate martyrs in North Cyprus so far. However, we have realized a first and opened this exhibition in Turkey that we have both historic and emotional ties. In this sense, this exhibition led us to strengthen the existing historic ties with Turkey as well as to demonstrate the presence of TRNC to everyone once again” said he.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel: Besides the travelling exhibitions, new and significant arts and history centers will be launched in Cyprus in near future
Underlining that the Unknown Aspects of Çanakkale Naval Wars Exhibition reflected the creativity, sensitivity and loyality of islanders that is indispensable for all scientific and social interest oriented projects of the Near East University, Assoc. Prof. Günsel stated that the exhibition was visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors. “This is a source of pride for us as this is a significant indicator showing that we are taking proper steps in the line of our mission concerned with leaving an islander mark in the world by realizing outstanding projects that make overwhelming impression worldwide. As Near East University, we are always aware of the importance of maintaining and improving the cultural and historical heritage. In order to allow the widest possible art enthusiasts to see and experience the joy of such exhibitions, we will launch travelling exhibitions as well as art and history centers in our country in near future” said he.
İşpek: Our Exhibition attracted the interest of a record number of visitors in a period of ten months
Ali Rıza İşipek, the curator of the exhibition, stated that a record number of 216.116 people visited the exhibition in a period of almost ten months. Underlining the social, historical and artistic importance of the exhibition, İşipek expressed his views: “Unknown Aspects of Çanakkale Naval Wars Exhibition was opened to shed light on our history within the scope of NEU’s social responsibility projects. The interest shown in this important exhibition particularly by schools is very gratifying. As Near East University, we also feel the great pride of fulfilling such an important historic mission” said he.
Koldaş: Hundreds of thousands of visitors set sail on a profound, intellectual and visual voyage on Çanakkale Naval Wars by our exhibition
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş, the Coordinator of Exhibition on behalf of NEU and the Director of Near East Institute stated that they provided opportunity for visitors coming from every part of the world to set sail on a historic and artistic voyage on Çanakkale Naval Wars; a very important turning point in Turkish and world history. He underlined that they felt the great satisfaction and happiness of raising intellectual and visual awareness regarding the issue. Underlining that such high number of visitors was parallel to the contextual importance of the project, Koldaş highlighted their commitment in continuing to actualize such intellectual and visual awareness projects that fed by scientific research.
The exhibition will be opened for visit in Cyprus as well
A collection of original paintings of renowned artists, Iznic tiles, ship models, antique objects, replicas, dioramas, roll-up posters, engravings, nautical materials, costumed mannequins, animations, maps, sanjak and pennants was displayed at Unknown Aspects of Çanakkale (Dardanelles) Naval Wars Exhibition, which was opened in Rahmi M. Koç Museum on March 18, 2015 and lasted approximately ten months. The exhibition will be opened for visit in Cyprus in near future as well.