“Azerbaijan Independence Day Exhibition”, which consists of the works of 54 Azerbaijani artists, organized by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts in honor of the 105th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s independence; President Ersin Tatar met with art lovers at the Near East University Hospital Exhibition Hall with the participation of Zorlu Töre, President of the National Assembly; Hasan Taçoy, Minister of Labor and Social Security, and Orhan Hasanoğlu, President of the Azerbaijan Cyprus Friendship Society and TRNC Haydar Aliyev International Cultural Center.

The 444th exhibition of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts will be open to visitors free of charge until 2 June.

At the opening of the exhibition, which took place with intense participation; President Ersin Tatar, President of the National Assembly Zorlu Töre, Azerbaijan Cyprus Friendship Society and TRNC Haydar Aliyev International Cultural Center President Orhan Hasanoğlu and Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ gave speeches.

President Ersin Tatar: “It is a great honor for us to have the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, the only museum in the Turkish world that gathers such a large collection under one roof, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
Speaking at the opening of the “Azerbaijan Independence Day Exhibition”, President Ersin Tatar said, “I am very happy to be at the opening of the “Azerbaijan Independence Day Exhibition,” hosted by the Near East University, one of the leading universities of the TRNC.

Stating that the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts brings together over 50 thousand works of art and the works of artists belonging to 14 Turkish communities, President Ersin Tatar said, “The Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, the only museum in the Turkish world that gathers such a large collection under one roof, is a great honor for us.”

President Ersin Tatar said, “I commemorate Mehmed Emin Resulzâde and Haydar Aliyev with mercy in this meaningful exhibition dedicated to the independence of Azerbaijan, and send my greetings to the President of Azerbaijan, Mr. İlham Aliyev.”

Stating that the TRNC has turned into a center in the Turkish world in art, culture, science and technology, President Ersin Tatar said, “The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has always existed. We always stand by our values as a whole with our culture, our art, our people who produce and work.”

Zorlu Töre: “As in Azerbaijan, the Turkish flag raised in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will not descend again.”
Starting his speech by emphasizing the importance of Azerbaijan for the Turkish world, Zorlu Töre, President of the National Assembly, described Azerbaijan as a gateway to other Turkic Republics. Embellishing his speech with poems, Töre also referred to the first President of Azerbaijan, Mehmed Emin Resulzade’s saying, “Once a flag goes up, it will never come down again.” It will not go down anymore.”

Emphasizing the absolute importance of peace at home and in the world, Töre said, “In peace; but we will live without giving up sovereignty, independence, our state and our homeland. No one who has the consciousness of being Turkish will never give up on these values.”

Zorlu Töre, President of the National Assembly, said, “Our nation will be in peace and unity. Even though we live in different states, we will always be in search of Turkish nations to be united in thought and feeling. However, it is not enough to just leave these searches in thought. We will also take action. Just like the Founding Rector of Near East University, just like Dr. Suat Günsel took action.”

Orhan Hasanoğlu: “Although there is no official diplomatic relationship between Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, I hope that this will change in the future.”
Starting his speech by saying that he spoke on behalf of the Azerbaijani people living on the island, the President of the Azerbaijan Cyprus Friendship Society and the TRNC Haydar Aliyev International Cultural Center Orhan Hasanoğlu thanked the Near East University for hosting the “Azerbaijan Independence Day Exhibition”, its staff and the Günsel Family.

Orhan Hasanoğlu, who stated that today we are intertwined with a modern form of art, said, “When we look at the world art history, it should be remembered that the first foundations of art were laid centuries ago in the town of Kobustan, Azerbaijan, with works that have preserved their originality until today.”

Stating that Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have a common culture, Orhan Hasanoğlu said, “Many artists raised by Azerbaijan, which declared its independence to the whole world and made it accepted, passed through the TRNC and left works for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. Many of our artists, such as our esteemed teacher and scientist Murat Allahverdiyev, continue to live here by promoting Azerbaijani art and culture in the TRNC.”

Orhan Hasanoğlu, who said, “Art is an important element that carries the past of a nation to the future”, stated that Azerbaijani artists and artists who have reached the whole Turkish world protect their past and carry this heritage to the future.

Referring to the TRNC’s success in education, science and art, Orhan Hasanoğlu said, “Our universities have great importance in all these achievements. Many of our compatriots, especially those who graduated from the Near East University, are at very important points in the business world and bureaucracy in Azerbaijan today, and they are building a bridge between the two countries as honorary ambassadors of the TRNC.

Although there is no official diplomatic relationship between Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Hasanoğlu said that he hopes this will change in the future and said, “Today, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is under the umbrella of the Turkish Nations Organization. On the other hand, the TRNC National Assembly is also to be represented in the Turkish States Parliamentary Assembly.”

Saying that about 40 Azerbaijani academicians work in the TRNC universities and nearly 300 students are studying in the TRNC, Hasanoğlu said “The number of our compatriots living in TRNC exceeds 1500. I would like to thank the Near East University Founding Rector, Dr.Suat İrfan Günsel and the staff of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts.” Orhan Hasanoğlu, reminding the words of the first President of Azerbaijan, Mehmed Emin Resulzade, ended his words by saying “Once a flag rises, it will never come down again. May Allah never lower our flag and let us all live upright like a flag.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “The Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, in addition to the unique art accumulation it has created, enables countries from the Turkish world, of which our country is a part, to build bridges with each other and the rest of the world.”
Starting his speech at the exhibition by giving brief information about the independence struggle of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We dedicate our exhibition in honor of a very important event that took place 105 years ago.”

Stating that Azerbaijan has a unique and colorful heritage, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “These Azerbaijani artists, who have a rich heritage and masterful works in areas such as carpet weaving, ceramic work, miniature painting and sculpture, bearing the traces of the Turkish world, continues to shape the cultural identity and art scene of the country.”

Emphasizing that the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts is the largest contemporary art museum not only in Cyprus but also in the region with over 50 thousand works of art, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ also said that they bring together the culture of the Turkish world under the same roof with their rich collections of works by artists belonging to 14 Turkish communities. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Azerbaijan, one of the most important parts of the Turkish world, has a special place in these collections.”

“The Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, in addition to its unique art accumulation, enables countries from the Turkish world, of which our country is a part, to build bridges with each other and the rest of the world.” “Azerbaijan Independence Day Exhibition” is just one of these bridges.” Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, and added; “I share the enthusiasm of the Azerbaijani people for independence, and I leave you alone with these precious works.”