THE first exhibition of the Cyprus Modern Art Museum in Turkey has taken place in the northern city of Tokat.

The exhibition featured 25 works from the Lefkoşabased Near East University (NEU) Faculty of Fine Arts, with NEU Founding Rector Dr Suat Günsel in attendance at the opening of the exhibition.

The opening of the exhibition was also attended by dignitaries from the city of Tokat, with Tokat Mayor Eyüp Eroğlu making a speech at the event.

He told attendees that “the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has always been a very valuable and important place for us”, before going on to speak of the sacrifices made by Turkish soldiers on the island in 1974.

Dr Günsel said in this speech that the TRNC and Turkey “are a whole”.

“Just as Cyprus is important to Turkey, Turkey is also important to Cyprus,” he said. “Our Turkey bestowed a Republic unto us by giving us life, and we as Turkish Cypriots are grateful to you.”