Organized by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts and bringing together 56 award-winning photographs from 33 countries, the “I. International Multiple Photography Competition FOTOMAN 2022” exhibition was opened by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts at the Exhibition Hall of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Near East University.

In the competition held in three different categories, the works of the artists who were awarded and exhibited were brought together by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. The exhibition, which features 56 award-winning photographs by photographers from 33 different countries, can be visited free of charge until 19 December.

At the ceremony, which was also attended by the President of the Georgian Photographers Union Kakha Pkhakadze and the President of the Georgian Photographers Union Salon Nino Mgenashvili, the opening speeches were made by Near East University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Nino Mgenashvili, Salon President of the Georgian Photographers Association.

After the speeches, Nino Mgenashvili presented the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) Gold Medal Award to the Turkish Northern Cyprus Turkish artist Mehmet Gökyiğit with his photograph titled “Paramount”. Mgenashvili also presented the plaque of appreciation to the Near East University and Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts for their contributions to art. Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ accepted the plaque on behalf of the universty and the museum. Photographers Cristakis Christou, Romos Kotsonis and George Yiallouris also received the awards they won as part of the discussion at the Near East University.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We are working without slowing down with the aim of transforming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus into the most important science and art center of the region and the world.”
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, which brought together award-winning photographs at the Exhibition Hall of the Near East University Faculty of Health Sciences, Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said that the Near East University and the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts have established a strong bond that focuses on science and art.

Stating that they are working without slowing down with the aim of transforming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus into the most important science and art center of the region and the world, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ addressed the Georgian Photographers Union President Kakha Pkhakadze, Georgia Photographers Union Salon President Nino Mgenashvili and photographers they hosted in the award-winning photography exhibition and said; “It is a great pleasure for us to host our friends from Georgia in our country and at our university.”

Reminding that in the field rankings of the “2023 World University Rankings” published by London-based Times Higher Education, Near East University is in 6 categories as the best university in the TRNC, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, “Our university ranked in Computer Sciences in the 151-175 band in the world, first in Turkey; In the field of engineering, in the 176-200 band in the world, second in Turkey; In the field of education, in the 401-500 band in the world, fifth in Turkey; In the field of Clinic and Health, in the 501-600 band in the world, third in Turkey; in the 601-800 band in the world in the field of Life Sciences, third in Turkey, and in the 601-800 band in the field of Social Sciences in the world, sixth in Turkey. This success is an indication of our belief and commitment to this goal.”

Nino Mgenashvili: “I love your country very much and I am very happy to be here.”
Nino Mgenashvili, Head of the Salon of the Georgian Photographers Union, started his speech by expressing his happiness to be in Northern Cyprus and said, “We have many friends in this beautiful country. I love your country very much and I am very happy to be here.” Mgenashvili, who thanked the Near East University and Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts for their support, said, “First of all, I would like to thank the university administration, especially near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel, for opening this beautiful exhibition.”

Nino Mgenashvili, who said that he observed that there is a life intertwined with art in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, Cyprus Car Museum and the exhibitions held on the Near East University Campus, emphasized that he found the art atmosphere on the Near East University Campus very impressive.

Saying that the Georgian Photographers Association was founded in 2008, Mgenashvili further added, “Our aim is to support the development of professional and amateur photography in Georgia, to detail the development strategy of photography as an art field and to realize it in practice. With the national and international events we organize, we aim to establish a more effective bond with our colleagues around the world.”