Artist and Lecturer Dr. Yücel Yazgın's exhibition titled Cypriot Comments consisting of 60 print paintings reflecting cultural and historical assets of Cyprus and created by special painting and printing effects was opened by Fikri Ataoğlu, Minister of Tourism and Environment. Dr. Yücel Yazgın is the head of the Department of Plastic Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Near East University.

According to the press information given by the Near East University Press and Public Relations Department, the opening ceremony of the exhibition at the Faculty of Communication Exhibition Hall was attended by Turkey's Embassy of Nicosia Representative, Principal Consultant Kadir Akçeşme; Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu; Member of Parliament Hasan Taçoy; Founding Rector. Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel; vice-rectors, deans, faculty members, foreign artists from abroad and guests.

At the opening of the exhibition, the Founding President of the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, Artist Yücel Yazgın and Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu gave a speech. The exhibition consists of print paintings created through techniques such as recycling, paper relief technique, wood printing, linol printing, mixed technique (stencil printing, wood printing and spray paint) by using linol template and exhibits historical figures, trees and door images from Cyprus culture.

Prof. Dr. Özkul: Foundations of Science and Art Laid with the Establishment of Near East University...
The first opening speech of the exhibition was made by the Founding President of the Turkish National History Museum and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul mentioned why Near East University gives importance to art and science. Prof. Dr. Özkul said "Near East University founded by Dr. Suat Günsel in 1988 had laid the foundations of art and science in Cyprus. The idea of founding the museums on the campus first came forth 20 years ago and have gradually come to life in the minds. This is an indication that we, as the Near East University, do not act without getting prepared beforehand and that we make the necessary plans and programs before taking each of our steps."

Stating that the objectives of the university as the highest, Prof. Dr. Özkul stated that 11 exhibitions are currently open to be visited in various exhibition halls within the campus and this is an indication of how much they care about art. In 2020, the foundations and investments of the university will be crowned with opening of the Cyprus Modern Art Museum. Dr. Özkul expressed his belief that by this time they would have surpassed the 20 thousand artworks they targeted.

We have broken embargo chains with scientific studies...
Prof. Dr. Özkul said, "Art is the light of a society. If a society wants to come to the level of contemporary civilizations, it has to cooperate with art and culture. Politicians and statesmen who have been successful in history are all intertwined with art and culture. The Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts will carry out many new activities within this scope. The best example of combining art with science is the Herbarium Museum, which we will open in April. A recent species of spider found in our nature entered the world literature. We broke the embargo chains with these works. We will never take shelter behind the excuse of embargo. We are continuing to cooperate with the Turkic Republics and establish a Turkic unity."

Prof. Dr. Özkul stating that in the sense of science, they aim to be among the top 500 universities in the world, pointed out that they gave Science Awards to the academic members of the faculties due to their international success, and that they added the Alasia Awards in the art field by opening a new window in art.

Prof. Dr. Özkul also added that the Print Painting that was born in the 19th century is a handicraft of the artists, tried by many artists, however, managed by only the master artists and due to his achievements, they have hereby awarded Yücel Yazgın with the Khwarasm Award of Distinction, the famous scientist who was the father of Algebra.

Yücel Yazgın: "Near East University proves the Best Examples of Foundations Created by Turkish Cypriots..."
Dr. Yücel Yazgın, mentioning that art is a concept that many scientists have tried to define, said that 250 thousand years have passed until we have reached the activities that constituted the foundations of art, and that, the human beings reaching the capacity of abstract thinking, thoughts have been transformed into the concepts and forms of art. Yazgın stated that the artists reflect the cultural, economic and sociological effects of the geography and society they live in by blending them with the philosophies of art. Yazgın said, "What the most important is how much you can transfer the art forms to the universe. People who form a lifestyle with a structure that resists, solidifies and concentrates on production will overcome the obstacles they face if they consist of groups of people who have turned their creativity into skills, even if they are forced into tight spaces."

Minister Ataoğlu: "If the Near East University is in the point of question, then you can ask "what is next"..."
Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu stated that if the point of question is the Near East University, there is no chance of making a comment about the past but it is necessary to think about what we will face after today...

Minister Ataoğlu said: “We are at the moment speaking from a university where the number of studies is limitless, the value given to the artist and the art is without borders, and the importance given to hosting is so much, and thus the artists from the Turkic Republics are competing to take part in this place. Thus, from now on, what we're going to do is focusing on future and think about it. Therefore, I would like to thank the Near East University."

Minister Ataoğlu, stating that although the embargo placed upon our country, said that it was amazing to see the doors opened by the artists and art. Minister Ataoğlu, adding that the values created so far should not only be exhibited but ensured that everyone who comes to our country visits them. Fikri Ataoğlu, at the end of his speech, congratulated the Near East University for the importance it attaches to the art and the artist, and said that he was longing for the works to be done in the coming days.

The Exhibition Ribbon was cut after presenting the Khwarasm Award...
After the speeches, the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Fikri Ataoğlu, presented the Khwarasm Award to Yücel Yazgın, whics is one of the five awards of Alasia Awards decided to be given to master artists by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. Then, he opened the sculpture of Yücel Yazgın designed by the sculptor Nurlan Kebekuulu. Then the exhibition ribbon was cut and the exhibition was opened.

The ”Cypriot Comments" Print Painting Exhibition, in which the effects of the nature and cultural heritage of Cyprus on the artist is interpreted through his own artistic understanding and technical competences, can be visited at the Faculty of Communication Exhibition Hall until May 3, 2019 and between 8.30-16.30.