Near East Yeniboğaziçi Campus Halil Günsel Culture and Congress Center realized its first event by hosting the "Fine Arts Republic Exhibition" organized by the faculty members of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Near East University and 28 award-winning artists from the Turkic World.

Yeniboğaziçi Mayor Mustafa Zurnacılar, Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, University of Kyrenia Founding Rector Assist. Prof. Dr. Cemre Günsel Haskasap, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan, vice-rectors, deans, institute directors, lecturers, artists and guests attended to the opening ceremony.

At the opening ceremony of the "Fine Arts Republic Exhibition" held at Halil Günsel Culture and Congress Center, Yeniboğaziçi Mayor Mustafa Zurnacılar, Near East University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Near East Schools Primary Education Director Ertan Aligüllü and Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç made speeches.

Ertan Aligüllü: "Halil Günsel Culture and Congress Center will provide gains to the culture and art life of the people living in the region"
Near East Schools Primary Education Director Ertan Aligüllü said in his speech that they are very proud that the "Fine Arts Republic Exhibition" was the first event held at Halil Günsel Culture and Congress Center. Aligüllü also told an anecdote about Halil Günsel, whose name was given to the Culture and Congress Center: “Grandfather Halil had an apple orchard in the middle of three villages. He took care of it with so much effort and care that there would be a very fruitful harvest. When the harvest season came, Halil Dede only picks as many apples as they can eat and takes them home, but he did not sell that many apples that were left on the trees. Since the people of these three villages knew this, they picked the apples. In fact, when someone came to the garden, Grandfather Halil used to hide so as not to disturb those picking the apples. I think this true story tells Halil Günsel's personality very well. "

Ertan Aligüllü emphasized that the culture and congress center, named after Halil Günsel, Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel's grandfather, will host the congresses and different activities, and will provide gains to the cultural and artistic life of the local people as well as the students.

Ertan Aligüllü: "The Grand Library library will be established on the Near East Yeniboğaziçi Campus."
In his speech, Ertan Aligüllü also stated that new investments will continue, saying, "In addition to our Congress Center, which is a reflection of the productivity and sharing spirit that exists in the mission of Near East University, we will soon bring the Grand Library where you will be able to reach more than 750 million sources available on our campus." Ertan Aligüllü ended his words with the expression “On behalf of myself and my institution, I would like to thank our esteemed Board of Directors that brought Halil Günsel Culture and Congress Center to our school and the people of the region, everyone who contributed to the opening and every individual who contributed to the preparation of the Republic Exhibition”.

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “We are delighted to open the Republic Exhibition at a meaningful time and in this special place…”
Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design of Near East University Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç in his opening speech said that, as the faculty members and artists of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design of Near East University, they are delighted to organize the Republic Exhibition on behalf of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts at a meaningful time and in this special place which was named after the grandfather of Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel.

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, at the opening of the "Fine Arts and Republic Exhibition", which took place on the eve of the foundation anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, commemorated Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Dr. Fazıl Küçük, the Founding President Rauf Denktaş and the martyrs and veterans with respect and gratitude.

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, “We bring our 359. exhibition together with the scientists, artists, their relatives, and other art audiences in the magnificent Near East Yeniogaziçi Campus at the Halil Günsel Culture and Congress Center's first exhibition. It is a pride for us. However, I know that this will not be our last meeting, we will come together with new and different exhibitions ”.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Neither our love of art nor our love of the Republic will ever end. “
Near East University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ started by emphasizing the openings that Near East University will hold during the month of the Republic and said "In the month of "Republic" which we celebrate the 97. anniversary of Republic of Turkey and 37. anniversary of TRNC, we will realize the openings of two libraries (YBK and the University of Kyrenia libraries), a museum (Walled City City Museum), and the Near East Bank Central Branch."

Reminding that the "Fine Arts Republic Exhibition" was the 359th exhibition held by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “In this meaningful month, we will have the opportunity to see the special works of our award-winning academics and artists together in the same place. "Neither our love of art nor our love of the Republic will never end," he said.

Mustafa Zurnacılar: "The investments of Near East University in Yeniboğaziçi add value to our region ..."
In his speech, Yeniboğaziçi Mayor Mustafa Zurnacılar said that Yeniboğaziçi has been developing between Famagusta and Iskele districts and that Near East University added a great value to the region with its investments in education, culture and tourism. Mustafa Zurnacılar: “The investments made add prestige and quality to our region. Therefore, I would like to thank Dr. Suat Günsel, the Founding Rector of Near East University, and Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, for their contribution to our region on behalf of myself and the people of the town ”.

Zurnacılar stated that it is a great loyalty that Halil Günsel Culture and Congress Center, where the exhibition was opened, bears the name of a family elder and he was very impressed by this sensitivity.
Reminding the words of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, "The artistic talent of a nation is as much as the value given to art by that nation", Mustafa Zurnacılar said, "I express my gratitude to everyone who created these beautiful works, contributed and helped them reach us."

After the speeches, Yeniboğaziçi Mayor Mustafa Zurnacılar and Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, University of Kyrenia Founding Rector Assist. Prof. Dr. Cemre Günsel Haskasap and artists cut the ribbon of the "Fine Arts and Republic Exhibition".