The opening ceremony of the “Fine Arts End of Year Exhibition”, which consists of 70 works of painting, sculpture, ceramic and print paintings, was hosted by Founding Rector of Near East University, Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel. Governor-in-chief Ahmet Arslan, retired Police Chief Eray Merttürk, vice-rectors, deans, institute directors, lecturers, guests and artists attended the ceremony.

At the opening, Governor-in-chief Ahmet Arslan, Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç made speeches.

Governor-in-chief Ahmet Arslan: “The artist is the mirror of knowledge-culture, stands out as the identity and the core of the countries.”
Governor-in-chief Ahmet Arslan emphasized that Günsel Family has pioneered many fields on behalf of our country with their investments in the last 42 years, and said that one of these fields is art. Arslan; “We have learned the art from Dr. Suat Günsel, we have learned it from Near East University. I have participated in many openings. Today we are opening the 365th exhibition. This is a very important figure. The artist is the mirror of knowledge and culture, the identity and core of countries,”, and stated that Near East University instilled this identity and core in the Turkish Cypriot community with the museums and exhibitions it pioneered.

Governor-in-chief Ahmet Arslan: “Love for the country can be measured by the investments made in the country.”
Reminding that he also completed his undergraduate education at the Faculty of Engineering of Near East University, Arslan said, “Today, if I am who I am, Near East University has a great contribution to this.” Stating that Günsel Family made significant investments in their country, especially in education, automotive, museum and health, Arslan said, “Dr. Suat Günsel has never hesitated to spend every penny he has earned so far in his country and making new investments. This is true country love and patriotism. His love for the country can be appreciated by considering the investments he made in his country”. Arslan said that he was delighted and proud to follow the progress led by Near East University and Günsel Family, and ended his speech by thanking the Günsel Family for their contribution to the country.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We bid farewell to 2020, where many bad events were encountered, with the “Fine Arts End of Year Exhibition”
Near East University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ started his speech by saying that 2020, through which many bad events were encountered, was bid farewell with the “Fine Arts End of Year Exhibition” consisting of 70 artworks. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ expressed his wish that, with the hope that art has nurtured, the new year will herald a future full of beauty and goodness to humanity.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ emphasizing that Near East University has been investing in the future of this country with education, science, health, innovation and arts for 42 years, stated that the Near East Yeniboğaziçi College Campus, Halil Günsel Culture and Congress Center, Near East Bank Headquarters Building, the Kyrenia University Grand Library, the University of Kyrenia Culture, Congress and Exhibition Center and the Walled City Museum were opened on the basis of this vision. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ also reminded that the opening ceremonies of the New Building of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Kyrenia, and Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu Republic Hall will take place on Friday, December 18.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: Despite the pandemic, the Walled City Museum hosted over 3,000 visitors.”
Stating that since its opening on November 15, the Walled City Museum has received more than 3,000 visitors in a very short period of time like a month and despite the pandemic, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ stated that nearly 1000 artifacts from Maritime Museum, Toy Car Museum, Knife and Sword Museum and Cyprus Turkish National History Museum met with art lovers at the Walled City Museum. Prof. Şanlıdağ emphasized that the Walled City Museum is open to visitors free of charge.

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç; “Fine Arts End of Year Exhibition is the 365th Exhibition held for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts.”
Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç started his speech by reminding that the Fine Arts End of Year Exhibition is the 365th exhibition held for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. Prof. Dr. Aygenç pointed out that the goal of building a culture lies behind each breakthrough made by Near East and Günsel Family in the fields of science, art, education, technology, health and sports. Prof. Dr. Aygenç said, “What is against this is a culture that is created outside itself and takes what is offered to it, and consumes it greedily without resistance; It is the “consuming culture”. It would be naive to expect such societies to develop, to be renewed and to stand upright on their feet ”.

Drawing attention to the fact that the Near East brings together with the culture of making, creating, achieving, producing, spreading, lighting and sharing with all segments of the society, Prof. Dr. Aygenç said “We are honored to be a part of this culture as faculty, as artists.”

After the speeches, the ribbon of the exhibition was cut and the exhibition was opened at the Exhibition Hall of the Near East University Hospital. The exhibition can be visited by art lovers between 08.00-17.00 on weekdays until Friday, December 25, 2020.