The award ceremony and exhibition opening ceremony of the photography contest organized by our university in the memory of Zeki Gürsel, whose theme was determined as “Lefke from My Point of View” was held.

In the award ceremony which started after a moment of silence and National Anthem, Feral Uyumsal Burhan, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, İhsan Gürsel, Zeki Gürsel’s brother, and Teksen Köroğlu, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the European University of Lefke, delivered speeches.

Burhan: We set off with the question of how others would like to immortalize and photograph our culturally rich city           

Feral Uyumsal Burhan, Chairman of the Organizing Committee said that “We set off with the question of how others would like to immortalize and photograph our culturally rich city where our university is established. We wanted our students to participate because we wanted to move them out of the lessons and the academic world. We wanted to introduce them to this beautiful city where they will spend a part of their lives. On the other hand, we wondered if the non-student participants came to Lefke, especially those who reside outside Lefke and the region, to recognize this place and what might arise from their eyes” and thanked all participants, jury members and everyone who contributed to the contest. 

Gürsel: Zeki has never compromised perfectionism

İhsan Gürsel, Zeki Gürsel’s brother said that “Of course it’s not my job to tell Zeki, but I want to share a feature of Zeki with you, which is ‘perfectionism’. He has not approached any business with the logic of “Let’s save the day today, we will take care of the rest later”. Zeki’s perfectionism at a young age has even astonished my father”. Pointing out that Zeki has never compromised perfectionism and it always has been his core value, Gürsel said that “Zeki was trying to do the best in the art of photography, spending hours, days and nights to carry his photos to eternity, doing whatever was necessary for this job and using the device and technology. For this reason, I recommend that photography lovers keep in mind perfectionism. I would like to express my gratitude to the European University of Lefke and all those who contributed to this process”

Köroğlu: EUL has added a new contribution to the region and to our society with this photo contest.

Teksen Köroğlu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the European University of Lefke said that “Taking photographs is the alignment of one’s mind, eye, hand and heart. First of all, we would like to thank all of our friends who participated in the “Lefke from My Point of View” photography contest organized in memory of Zeki Gürsel and the photographers who have devoted themselves to this art”. Pointing out that phography is an art and nobody should doubt it, Köroğlu said that “Because one wants to get the best moment when taking pictures. Today, in this exhibition, we will see the best in the most beautiful photos taken by the eyes that attracted Lefke to the memory of Zeki Gürsel. EUL has added a new contribution to the region and to our society with this photo contest”. Underlining that the photos taken in the Lefke region which reflect the beauty of Lefke will be carried to the most distinct parts of the world, Köroğlu said that “By this means, the tourism potential in Lefke will be announced to those who does not know the existence of Lefke, who does not see it who are not able to see it. The European University of Lefke will immortalize Zeki Gürsel, who prides himself on being a resident of Lefke with the contest organized in memory of Lefke and the future generations”.

Following the presentation of the awards, the program continued with the opening of the exhibition and ended with a cocktail organized in honour of the participants.