The Cyprus Museum of Modern Art’s “July 20th Exhibition” was opened by President Ersin Tatar at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall. The exhibition will be open to visitors free of charge until August 29th.
The “July 20th Exhibition,” which opened during the week marking the 51st anniversary of July 20th Peace and Freedom Day, a turning point in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s struggle for independence, was held with the participation of President Ersin Tatar.
The exhibition, held by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall, brings together 50 original works of painting, sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking. The exhibition, which will be open to visitors free of charge until August 29th, is also the 475th exhibition of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art.
The exhibition, which brings together works exclusively made by academics from the Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design and artists from the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art, was met with great interest from art lovers. The opening remarks were delivered by President Ersin Tatar, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, and Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç.
President Ersin Tatar: “We will continue to champion art and artists with contemporary, productive, and humanity-embracing values.”
President Ersin Tatar began his speech by saying, “I am delighted to be with you at the ‘July 20 Exhibition’ in this meaningful week, as we celebrate the 51st anniversary of the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day.” He stated that the exhibition is not merely an artistic event but also a special gathering that keeps the spirit of July 20, the symbol of the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for independence, freedom, and a dignified life, alive through art.
President Ersin Tatar, emphasizing the importance Near East University places on science, art, and culture, said, “Near East University is one of the most powerful higher education institutions not only in our country but also in the region. It is not just a university, it is a global university that embraces art, culture, science, and universal values, and produces in a multifaceted way. Its ranking as the 15th most influential university in the world in the ‘Sustainable Cities and Societies’ category in the 2025 World Universities Impact Ranking is a concrete demonstration of this vision and determination.”
Emphasizing that art is an indispensable part of human life, President Ersin Tatar said, “As a requirement of being a contemporary and productive society, we will continue to champion art and artists with values that embrace humanity. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the artists who have brought us together with their works here today.”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We will continue to lead all kinds of academic and artistic production that will keep our collective memory alive.”
Speaking at the exhibition opening, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “History shows us that the foundations of a country are shaped not only by the soil, but also by the values and cultural consciousness that flourish on that soil. Peace and freedom are not merely political concepts, they are the name of a people’s right to life, their cultural existence, and the most precious legacy they leave to future generations.”
Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ emphasized that Near East University is much more than a campus, saying, “This campus, with its hospitals, museums, marketplace, event spaces, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, dormitories, and academic departments, hosts over 40,000 people every day, and is a vibrant city where education, culture, art, and life continue uninterrupted.”
Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that the artworks in the exhibition go beyond aesthetics and reflect the collective memory of peace, resistance, hope, and freedom. Şanlıdağ said, “We will continue to lead all kinds of academic and artistic production that will keep our collective memory alive, enrich our country’s cultural fabric, and enhance universal values.”
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “These exhibitions are both a source of richness and a lesson!”
Emphasizing that art can take on different meanings depending on the person, time, and society, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at Near East University, stated that the artist transforms the outside world into their own reality. Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç emphasized that art education is not merely the transfer of knowledge and technique, saying, “Art education is a training in awareness, sensitivity, and abstract thinking. When considered in workshop environments and creative processes, art is an individual education. Every new product resulting from artistic creation is a new language.”
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç stated that group exhibitions that present different artistic disciplines and production techniques together are challenging, and such exhibitions reflect the polyphony and diversity of art. Emphasizing that production is an essential responsibility for art educators, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç said, “These exhibitions are both an enrichment and a lesson. It is essential for art educators to engage in artistic production. An educator who is not productive cannot be expected to teach in a studio.”
