Within the framework of naval history studies conducted by the University of Kyrenia, Levant Naval History Exhibition will be opened to public visit on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the University of Kyrenia, a variety of paintings depicting marine on Levant coasts from ancient period till today, wooden models of Greek, Egyptian and Phoenician ships as well as Kyrenia boat, Levant costal charts drawn by Piri Reis in the 16th Century and engraved on Iznic pottery, and various engravings belonging to the cities and harbors in the region would be displayed at the exhibition, which would be inaugurated by Halil Ibrahim Akça, TR Ambassador to Nicosia. The exhibition will be held at Near East University Grand Library Foyer and will be open to public visit from the 4th of February till the 4th of March 2015.

Touching upon the significant progress achieved by the University of Kyrenia in the field of aviation and maritime studies within a short time, the Founding Rector Cemre S. Günsel Haskasap highlighted that as the first and the only marine and aviation university, and as a university based on a cognitional and communal accumulation, University of Kyrenia was currently making its way confidently towards becoming a leading institution in higher education through activities and breakthroughs that it had been conducting in the two major sectors. Underlining the fundamental objectives of the University of Kyrenia, Cemre Günsel Haskasap voiced their commitment to becoming an effective reference center in maritime and aviation world by achieving firsts in both fields. She highlighted that the University of Kyrenia would continue to be at the forefront and make significant progress in that direction through both academic and communally focused activities. Touching upon the crucial role of being aware of the marine history in steering the wheel of maritime studies towards the future, she stated that they had organized the exhibition in order to provide a thorough look into the naval history. “Levant Naval History Exhibition, which we are offering to the interest and evaluation of public is an indicator of our determination based on sharing and conveying the heritage of marine and maritime history to future” noted she.

Exhibition curator Ali Rıza İşipek, the General Secretary of International Association of Maritime Studies (IAMS) and maritime historian, stated that Levant was a geographical term that defines a vast area in the Eastern Mediterranean in the historical process. Stating that Cyprus itself was a significant part of the Levant region, İşipek spoke of:”This exhibition is preparing the future by preserving the past. It poses a place where history and mystery come alive. This exhibition aims to bring this rich heritage to people of today by revealing the aspirations, efforts, concerns, adventures, distresses, defeats and triumphs of the people formerly living in Levant for centuries. Upholding the highest presentation standards, it is aimed at creating well-established relations with visitors and keeping their interests at the highest level. The exhibition will exploit its potential as a learning place and play an active role with regard to learning with a human centered concept”.

The Coordinator of the Exhibition, Head of Near East Institute, Assist. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş also made a statement regarding the issue and said: “Levant Naval History Exhibition is a significant step taken by University of Kyrenia, as it moves in accordance with its aim to raise a communal awareness on naval history. This exhibition is a visual and intellectual homage for the historical and culture heritage of all the civilizations that make up the ideational accumulation and cultural spirit of the Mediterranean. It is a sincere and hearty greeting sending to this cultural heritage from the heart of Mediterranean, Cyprus. I would like to invite our people as well as the members of international society in our country to visit the exhibition”.

Levant Naval History Exhibition of University of Kyrenia will take place at the Near East University Grand Library Foyer and it will be open to public visit between 12:00 and 16:00 hrs from the 4th of February to the 4th of March, 2015.