The “100th Anniversary of Our Republic October Exhibition” and “The Source of Inspiration of Cyprus” exhibitions, where the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts brought together 100 works of art in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, were opened at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall with huge participation.

The “100th Anniversary of Our Republic October Exhibition”, prepared by the artists of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Near East University, and the solo painting exhibition of Kazakh artist Mariia Raskin, titled “The Source of Inspiration of Cyprus”, were opened by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.

Exhibitions consisting of 100 works in total, which can be visited free of charge until November 20, bring together a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, stained glass and printmaking. Many guests and art lovers, especially Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, attended the opening hosted by Near East Enterprises Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel and Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel.

The opening speeches of the exhibition were made by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Kazakh artist Mariia Raskin and Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel: “Near East University announces the name of our country to the whole world with its studies in the fields of art and science.”
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, who started his speech by saying “We welcome the 100th foundation anniversary of the Republic of Turkey with art in a way befitting the Republic”, and added: “The Republic of Turkey, which was founded with the struggle for independence carried out by Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades with great difficulties, is now 100 years old. “How happy we are that we are together with the same enthusiasm on the 100th foundation anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.”

Reminding that the TRNC also fought the same freedom struggles, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said, “Thanks to our homeland, we gained our freedom with the July 20 Peace Operation and established the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on November 15, 1983.” Reminding that they will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the TRNC on November 15, Prime Minister Üstel said “I would like to thank Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel for his efforts for the development of TRNC and its promotion all over the world.”

Stating that art and science carry societies forward, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel also emphasized the importance that Near East University attaches to art and artists and said, “Near East University announces the name of our country to the whole world with its works in the fields of art and science.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We salute the 100th foundation anniversary of our Republic of Turkey by bringing together the power of science, education and art.”
Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ started his speech by saying “We are celebrating the 100th foundation anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, which was born under the guidance of the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. We will be together again for the 40th foundation anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which we will celebrate on November 15.”

“This year, we celebrate the 100th foundation anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and the 40th foundation anniversary of the of our Republic. The Republic has played an important role in the journey of modernization and progress, drawing strength from science, education, culture and art. It continues to shape the future of the Turkish nation by creating an important basis to encourage progress and social development. We salute the 100th foundation anniversary of our Republic of Turkey by bringing together the power of science, education and art.”

Recalling the results of the “World Universities Field Ranking” announced by the London-based higher education rating agency Times Higher Education a few days ago, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We were shown as the best university in the TRNC in all 7 categories in the list where we made our mark in the fields of ‘Physical Sciences’, ‘Computer Sciences’ and ‘Engineering’, and we were shown among the top 300 universities in the world. In all of these categories, we were among the top 5 universities in Turkey. All these results have made our scientific productivity, which rises from the campus we are in and reaches the whole world, very visible.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “The 100th foundation anniversary celebrations of the Republic of Turkey offer us the opportunity to honor the past and build the future. It is our duty, all together, to carry this most valuable legacy even further.”

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “Witnessing the 100th foundation anniversary of a state or even a nation is a very rare event in a human lifetime.”
Dean of Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, in his opening speech, said, “It is a very rare event in a human lifetime to witness the 100th foundation anniversary of a state or even a nation. We are happy to experience this pride together.” Prof. Dr. Aygenç said that the foundations of the Republic of Turkey were laid with the War of Independence. Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç commemorated the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and his comrades in arms with words of praise. Prof. Dr. Aygenç said, “Atatürk can be described as both a military and political genius. The Republican Revolution has been a definitive symbol of our independence.”

Referring to the Palestine-Israeli War, Prof. condemned the inhumane situation. Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç referred to Atatürk’s words and said, “War must be essential and vital. War is a murder unless the life of the nation is exposed to danger. Peace at home, peace in the world. Let’s keep our Republic alive forever in a world without war. Hand in hand, heart to heart.”

Mariia Raskin: “I feel very honored to have my work included in such a meaningful exhibition.”
Kazakh artist Mariia Raskin, whose personal exhibition titled “The Source of Inspiration of Cyprus” opened, began her speech by saying, “I am very honored to have my artworks included in such a meaningful exhibition organized in honor of the 100th foundation anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.”

Stating that after completing her education at Moscow Textile University, she worked in various branches of art as a graphic designer, fashion illustrator and book illustrator, Mariia Raskin said, “I have been living in Northern Cyprus with my family for 5 years and I started painting here full time. My biggest source of inspiration in my work has always been this beautiful country.” Stating that she aims to make the audience feel the opposite combination of energy and peace in her works, Mariia Raskin said, “I hope my works will attract you too.”