EMU Center for Cyprus Studies Organised an Event Entitled ‘Namık Kemal: The Manuscript Brought to Light’

Eastern Mediterranean University Center for Cyprus Studies (EMU-CCS) organised a meaningful event entitled “Namık Kemal: The Manuscript Brought to Light”. Organised in collaboration with Famagusta Namık Kemal High School, the event commenced with a moment of silence and the national anthem followed by a mini concert performed by the students of EMU Fine Arts Education Department, Music Teaching Program at EMU Activity Center at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 2 December 2014. 

In her opening address, EMU-CCS chair Prof. Dr. Naciye Doratlı welcomed the participants and stressed the educational and cultural value of the event. Prof. Dr. Naciye Doratlı  added that through this meaningful organisation, EMU CCS hopes to commemorate Namık Kemal who lived in Famagusta between 1873 and 1876 and, at the same time, to highlight and exhibit the famous poet and writer’s manuscript entitled  Celaleddin Harzemşâh which was written in 1875. Prof. Dr. Naciye Doratlı also thanked Nevzat Köle, who donated the manuscript to EMU CCS.

Principal of Namık Kemal High School İlknur Şemi also delivered an opening speech and provided information about Namık Kemal High School. Thanking all those who contributed to the event, Şemi stated that she believes similar events will take place during the upcoming years.

In his opening speech, EMU Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sözen talked about the place of Namık Kemal in Turkish Literature. Following Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sözen, EMU Board of Trustees Chair and Famagusta Mayor İsmail Arter stated that Famagusta and Namık Kemal are two indispensable elements in the island’s history. Following the opening addresses, EMU Education Faculty Turkish Teaching Department academic staff members Assist. Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul Aydın and Dr. Taylan Abiç’s panel entitled “Namık Kemal and Cyprus” took place under the moderatorship of EMU Education Faculty Educational Sciences Department academic staff member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sibel Dinçyürek.

After the panel, the event continued with an exhibition of the painting and composition writing contestants’ works and distribution of prizes to the first three award winning works under the sponsorship of KKTCELL and Antique Famagusta Foundation. The prize winners in the composition category were Nasra Çoban, Selma Oğurlu and Elif Gülseren and the poetry category were Mustafa Sürmeli, Pınar Şahin and Zehra Atayol.

Famagusta District Governor Şifa Çolakoğlu, EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Hıfsiye Pulhan, Vice Rector for Financial Affairs Prof. Dr. Salih Katırcıoğlu, founder of EMU CCS İsmail Bozkurt and North Cyprus Turkcell General Director Aybars Karaatmaca were among notable names who attended the event.

Credit: EMU