TRNC’s first maritime museum began to be established within the Near East University.

According to the press statement released by the Press and Public Relations Directorate of the Near East University, the absence of a museum concerning maritime and maritime history stands out as a major lack of our country which has had both commercial and strategic importance in the Mediterranean for centuries. Although there are museums in our country and Turkey concerning only naval history, there isn’t a comprehensive museum concerning every aspect of maritime. In order to make up this lack, the University of Kyrenia and Near East University have launched works to form the first and most comprehensive Maritime Museum of our country. The Maritime Museum will be put into service in a short period of 18 months and it will comprise many topics. The museum, which will focus on 14 themes of maritime culture at the first step, will increase the number of these themes by its dynamic structure.

The themes that will be exhibited at the very first step are as follow: Conquest of Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime History, Piri Reis and Marine Cartography, Conquest of Istanbul, Fishery in Cyprus, Ottoman Navy, Marine Typology History, Ship Typology History, Canakkale Naval War, Navigation and Maritime Equipments, History of Maritime Education, Cyprus Peace Operation, History of Maritime Trade, Underwater.

Touching upon the importance of launching such a significant project jointly with the University of Kyrenia, which is the first and only Maritime and Aviation University in our country, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NEU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel said that the project would be a great contribution to the cultural and intellectual life of our country. Highlighting the devotion of the Near East University to its country and its people, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel stated that the University had realized many achievements within 25 years and shared everything with the people of the country. “We are committed to continuing to share everything and all our accomplishments increasingly. When completed, the Maritime Museum will be a major cultural and intellectual center of attraction not only of our country but also of Turkey and of Near East Region” noted he.

Best Maritime Museums in the World

Touching upon the role of the Maritime Museums in exhibiting and presentation of noteworthy marine artifacts, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel stated that several excellent maritime museums had been established in Greenwich, Sydney, Michigan, San Diego, Liverpool, Vancouver, Maine, Auckland, Kobe and Amsterdam. “These museums lead the list with the finest collection of marine exhibits. Unfortunately, in the Near East Region, there isn’t a world-class museum which can present and document marine artifacts belonging to the region and convey this rich marine cultural heritage to societies and to new generations in a systematic way. The aim of the Near East Maritime Museum is to provide all artifacts and cultural heritage concerning maritime in Near East Region and to be an integral part of the world marine panorama. We aim to be the leading maritime museum in our region and to be amongst the top ten maritime museums in the world” said he.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel stated that they would be the leading center of this new maritime vision to follow the most recent developments in the region by establishing institutional collaborations and keeping in contact with the world’s and Europe’s leading maritime museum platforms as a distinguished member of these platforms.

Near East Maritime Museum will be a monumental symbol of a new understanding of museology

Pointing out their dedication to the new vision emerging in museology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel stated that it did not meet the requirements of the era to record only certain maritime information and marine artifacts through conventional methods such as record keeping and displaying. Günsel emphasized that Near East Maritime Museum would be a monumental symbol of a new understanding of museology aiming to convey the Mediterranean cultural heritage to the new generations by preserving, sharing and reproducing it through interaction with its people.

3-D modeling and animations will also be exhibited

Alongside artifacts, digital images, 3-D modeling and animations will be displayed on interactive screen and monitors. Besides, details relevant to each artifact will be shared with visitors through kiosks available at the museum. Each topic will be decorated so as to represent its own period. Thus, the visitors will be able to get a better understanding of the period.

Stating that the Near East Maritime Museum would differ from its counterparts from the aspect of a fascinating insight into the museum collection and techniques to be used in the museum, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel voiced his trust in the Near East Institute and noted that the Near East Institute as the curator of the Maritime Museum could actualize this important task successfully with its specialist staff and organizational experience. Günsel reminded that the Near East Institute has curated two important maritime exhibitions (Cyprus Old Maps Exhibition, Piri Reis Maps Exhibition) in the country for the first time.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel invited our people and all collectors who are devoted to maritime culture and history to contribute to this giant project

Voicing his belief that the revolutionary vision that the Near East University has set forth in the field of maritime culture and history would be a guidance for the development and future of the regional maritime, Günsel invited the people of the country and all enthusiastic marine collectors to contribute to the project as an integral part of this leading vision.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel indicated that the collectors, who have documents, objects, maps and materials relevant to maritime and want to donate them, could get in touch with the administrative staff of the Near East Institute.