Organized in cooperation with the Union of Turkish Cypriot Municipalities (KTBB) and the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB), the photography exhibition with the theme “Before Traces Disappear” was held in Ankara between 04-31 January 2024 and in Istanbul on 21-29 February 2024.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition in Ankara was attended by Turkish Republic Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar, TBB and Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yücel Yılmaz, Turkey’s Ambassador to Nicosia Metin Feyzioğlu, TRNC Ankara Ambassador İsmet Korukoğlu, President of the Union of Turkish Cypriot Municipalities Mahmut Özçınar, Tatlısu Mayor Hayri Orcan, Turkish Union of Municipalities Secretary General Dr. Hayri Baraçlı and many guests attended.
The exhibition, which includes photographs of all cities in the South of Cyprus, abandoned Turkish districts, mosques, villages and other works bearing Ottoman and Turkish identity, will shed light on history and keep the social memory alive. After the shootings were carried out in the cities of Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, South Lefkoşa and the villages of these cities, the exhibition booklet and prestige catalog of this exhibition, which included 43 works from the Paphos Region, 28 from the Larnaca Region, 30 from the Limassol Region and 26 from the South Lefkoşa Region, a total of 127 works, were also printed.
Açılış töreninde konuşan KKTC Cumhurbaşkanı Ersin Tatar, Kıbrıs’ta adil, kalıcı ve sürdürülebilir bir çözüm temennisinde olduğunu vurgulayarak, bunun ancak iki devletli çözüm siyaseti ile mümkün olduğunu belirtti. İki devletli çözüm siyasetinin altının boş olduğu yönündeki eleştirileri de yanıtlayan Tatar, “Yeni siyasetin altı dopdoludur. Altında mücadelemiz, şehitlerimiz, Kıbrıs Türk halkı vardır” dedi.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz reminded that the Island of Cyprus has hosted many civilizations throughout history due to its geographical location, and stated that the Island has a very rich historical heritage and colorful social and cultural diversity. Emphasizing that they attach great importance to keeping the Turkish and Islamic works here alive in the light of history, culture, literature, archeology and anthropology data, Yılmaz thanked the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and the Union of Turkish Cypriot Municipalities for supporting this exhibition that sheds light on the past of the Turkish Cypriots, the essential element of the Island of Cyprus. Pointing out that the Turkish-Islamic works in the south of Cyprus do not receive the value they deserve, Yılmaz called on international organizations, especially UNESCO, to protect the cultural heritage in the whole of Cyprus.
TBB and Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yücel Yılmaz noted that the works in the south of Cyprus are not only portable concrete structures but also contain important stories from history. Yılmaz underlined that they aim to transfer the historical heritage to future generations through the photographs in the exhibition.
In his speech, KTBB President Mahmur Özçınar gave information about the preparation process and content of the exhibition and said, “The important thing is to keep these works alive and continue their traces. I wish we could have done this 10 years ago, 20 years ago. Our joint projects with the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye are very important. We need to embrace each other more, share our knowledge and continue to create lasting works,” he said.
The Second Exhibition ‘Before Traces Disappear’ Opened in Bağcılar
The second of the photography exhibition titled “Before Traces Disappear”, prepared in cooperation with Bağcılar Municipality, Union of Municipalities of Turkey and Union of TRNC Municipalities, was opened in Bağcılar Municipality on February 21, 2024, with the participation of TRNC President Ersin Tatar.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition in Istanbul was attended by Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar, Bağcılar Mayor Abdullah Özdemir, Union of Cyprus Turkish Municipalities President Mahmut Özçınar, Tatlısu Mayor Hayri Orcan, Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) Secretary General Fahri Solak and Many guests attended.
Speaking at the program, TRNC President Ersin Tatar stated that what happened in Cyprus was similar to what happened in Bosnia and Gaza and said, “We will celebrate the 50th anniversary together. We are part of the same nation,” he said. Tatar emphasized that Cyprus is trying to expel Turkey from the island and that this will never be accepted.
Bağcılar Mayor Abdullah Özdemir emphasized the importance of protecting historical heritage and said that, as a municipality, they are proud to host important personalities. Özdemir stated that they will take 101 Cyprus veterans living in Bağcılar to Cyprus, hosted by Güzelyurt and Tatlısu municipalities..
