At the opening, which was attended by the President of the Champion Angels Association Ruşen Yücesoylu Karakaya and their families, the oil painting of 2.10 by 3 meters, made by the artist Mehmet Narin in memory of the Champion Angels, met with art lovers for the first time.

The “March Exhibition of Fine Arts”, consisting of 50 works made by 22 award-winning academic artists of the Near East University Fine Arts and Design Faculty, was opened at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall with the participation of President Ersin Tatar. The “March Exhibition of Fine Arts” organized by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts in memory of Champion Angels can be visited free of charge until 12 May.

In the exhibition where the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts brought together 50 works of award-winning academic artists, consisting of painting, sculpture, stained glass, ceramics and prints, with art lovers; An oil painting of 2.10 by 3 meters, made by artist Mehmet Narin in memory of Champion Angels, was exhibited for visitors for the first time. Champion Angels painting, which caused emotional moments at the opening, which was attended by the President of the Champion Angels Association Ruşen Yücesoylu Karakaya and the families of the Angels, will continue to meet with its visitors at the Walled City Museum after 12 May.

The opening speeches of the exhibition, which was curated by Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Deputy Dean and GÜNSEL Art Museum Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Ergün, were respectively made by Near East University Fine Arts and Design Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, President of Champion Angels Association Ruşen Yücesoylu Karakaya and President Ersin Tatar.

President Ersin Tatar: “Our Champion Angels, their esteemed teachers and their families will continue to live with us as symbols of Northern Cyprus.”
In his speech at the 441th exhibition of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, President Ersin Tatar stated that the losses experienced in the earthquake in Turkey on February 6 inflicted indescribable wounds and said, “February 6 left unforgettable traces in our history. There are no words to describe the pain experienced. This incident changed our lives.”

“There are no barriers in art. Art is the freedom, outcry, emotions and history of a society,” President Tatar said, adding, “Our Champion Angels, their esteemed teachers and their families will continue to live with us as symbols for Northern Cyprus.” Stating that he appreciated the work carried out by the Champion Angels Association, President Tatar stated that they would always support the activities of the association.

President Ersin Tatar ended his speech by thanking the artists and Near East University staff who contributed to the exhibition.

Ruşen Yücesoylu Karakaya: “As the Champion Angels Association, we have set out to keep the name of our children alive. This exhibition, which is very meaningful to us, is an important step towards that.”

Ruşen Yücesoylu Karakaya, President of the Champion Angels Association, who spoke at the exhibition opened in memory of the Champion Angels, said, “Due to this meaningful exhibition opened in memory of our Champion Angels, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project, especially Founding Rector of the Near East University Dr. Suat Günsel and the artist Mehmet Narin, who painted our children.”

Ruşen Yücesoylu Karakaya, who said that the names and memories of our children will live forever with such projects, said, “We, together with our people and society, as well as their families and the Champion Angels Association, have set out to keep the name of our children alive. This exhibition, which is very meaningful to us, is an important step towards that.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “It is only possible to cope with big tests with strong societies.”
Starting his speech by stating that the “March Exhibition of Fine Arts” carries a special importance and meaning, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “Our Fine Arts March Exhibition will witness a very special moment today. Today, we will watch the oil painting dedicated to the memory of our Champion Angels by artist Mehmet Narin and completed with more than a month of effort, for the first time with the families of our Angels.”

Stating that the death of Famagusta Turkish Maarif College students, their families and teachers, who were caught in the earthquake in Adıyaman, where they went to represent the TRNC, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We will always carry the pain and memory of 5 parents, 4 teachers and 26 children who lost their lives in Isias Hotel, we will never forget them and we will keep them alive. In order to keep the memory of our Champion Angels alive, we will soon complete the 3-meter bronze Champion Angels Monument, which our artists have been working on with great care. We will continue to bring together the Champion Angels painting, which we will see for the first time today, with visitors at the Walled City Museum.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We should never confine this effort given to keep our Champion Angels alive in just an emotional frame. More than 50 thousand people lost their lives in earthquakes in Turkey. It is our greatest primary responsibility to correctly evaluate the mistakes that caused this loss, to ensure that the universal rules regarding building safety that must be followed become a part of our culture, and to keep the memory of our children alive.”

Reminding that the Near East University Building and Soil Analysis Laboratory, which continues its academic studies within the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Near East University, has been opened to the use of the state and the public in order to determine the earthquake risk of the existing building stock. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Starting from our own campus, we started to analyze the earthquake resistance of the existing building stock in our country by applying dozens of tests. We will continue this work without slowing down.”

Stating that the two most important pillars of strong societies are science and art, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “It is only possible to cope with big tests with strong societies. Science and art rising from the campus we are in will continue with all its might to build a strong society that will strengthen and grow us all and take care of its future.”

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “The artist softens the dizzying speed of time with every piece he creates and opens up spaces for us to breathe.”
Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, on the other hand, emphasized that we do not spare time for ourselves with the tempo and negativities in daily life and that time is slipping away without realizing it. Prof. Dr. Aygenç said, “We are happy that we have the opportunity to remember the flow of time, which we often forget in the daily hustle and bustle, with the exhibitions we open at regular intervals.”

“Art is man’s knowledge of the universe, the world, and himself. It is not a comfort tool, it is a necessity” said Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç and added; “The existence of art helps to illuminate existing dark spots. With every work he creates, the artist softens the dizzying speed of time and opens up spaces for us to breathe. For this reason, a world where art disappears is unthinkable.” Stating that art is a power in itself, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç said, “Let’s not forget that art is active in all areas of our lives and the awareness of art changes the world.”