The “Fine Arts May Exhibition”, exclusively prepared for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts by the artist academicians of the Near East University Fine Arts and Design Faculty and the artists of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, was opened by President Ersin Tatar at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall.

Bringing together 50 works of art, sculpture, ceramics, stained glass and prints made by 22 award-winning academic artists, the “Fine Arts May Exhibition” is the 445th exhibition of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts.

At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, which will be open to visitors free of charge until 7 July, President Ersin Tatar, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Dean of the Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç made speeches.

President Ersin Tatar: “All the works made and brought together by the Near East University bring us together with the world with their universality and modernity.”
President Ersin Tatar, who started his speech at the ceremony by expressing the happiness of being a part of the 445th exhibition of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, emphasized that he always stands by science and art.

Stating that the Near East University has always distinguished itself with the importance it attaches to art and science, President Ersin Tatar said, “Near East University is one of the most important educational institutions not only of the TRNC, but of the entire Turkish world.”

Stating that the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which is the largest contemporary art museum in the region with over 50 thousand works of art, brings together the culture of the Turkish world under the same roof with its rich collections of artworks by artists belonging to 14 Turkish communities, President Ersin Tatar said, “All these works are a bridge to the future. These works, in which the artists reflect their own feelings, thoughts and values, are permanently transferred to future generations and to the whole world.”

Stating that the TRNC has made its name known to the world in many fields with art, science and technology, President Ersin Tatar emphasized that the TRNC is a great success story. Stating that art is a universal language, President Ersin Tatar said, “All the works produced and brought together by the Near East University bring us together with the world with their universality and modernity.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “During the week, we bid farewell to our 2,500 graduates who successfully completed our 21 faculties, colleges and graduate education institutes with great enthusiasm, pride and happiness.”
Speaking at the opening of the Fine Arts May Exhibition, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ, reminding that the philosophy of the Near East University is based on science and art, said, “During the week, we proudly bid farewell to our 2,500 graduates who successfully completed our 21 faculties, colleges and graduate education institutes and successfully passed a very important turning point in their lives.  The symbolic value of the opening of our exhibition and the enthusiasm for graduation we experienced throughout the week come together here today. This situation is an embodied picture of the philosophy of our Near East University, which dedicated itself to science and art!”

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Our students from 143 countries, who are academically equipped, committed to ethical values, have the qualifications required by the 21st century, have developed aesthetic perceptions, and are multicultural citizens of the world, are honorary ambassadors of our university and our country, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, to the whole world.”

Expressing that it is a great source of pride to raise future generations who will shape the future of the world while contributing to world science and humanity with research and projects implemented with science, art and technology, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said that the Near East University has left behind a period full of great achievements.

Reminding that President Ersin Tatar strongly demonstrated his belief and value in science and art by participating in many scientific and artistic events throughout the year, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “I would like to thank our President, who did not leave us alone at the opening of the last exhibition of the 2022-2023 education period, once again in your presence.”

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ also expressed his gratitude to the artists whose works were included in the exhibition and said, “Under the guidance of our Founding Rector, Dr. Suat Günsel and our Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, I wish to always continue to have scientific and artistic events that we will organize without compromising our energy, excitement and productivity.”

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “Being a Near Easterner is doing what is new and what is not available; to be self-confident, creative and resilient.”
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, reminded that faculty artists hold an exhibition every month with their artistic productions and said that he is proud of this great success, which is unique in the world. Prof. Dr. Aygenç said, “Being a Near Easterner is doing what is new and what is not available; to be self-confident, creative and resilient.”

Expressing that art is an endless sea with boundlessness stemming from its own autonomy and freedom, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç said, “I congratulate and thank all the participants and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Erdoğan Ergün who added value to our exhibition with their artworks.”