The opening ceremony of Akimbo (Eli Belinde/ Maini pe Şolduri) Ceramics Exhibition, held by Istanbul University and Istanbul ‘‘Dimitrie Cantemir’’ Rumania Cultural Centr, was made on 12^nd April 2016 with the participation of IU Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak in IU Rectorate Building.

The opening speech of the exhibition, whose project management was run by IU Assistant to Rector and IU Press and Public Relations Director Prof. Dr. Ergün Yolcu, was made by IU Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak and Istanbul ‘‘Dimitrie Cantemir’’ Rumania Cultural Centre Director Dr. Nadia Tunsu.

“Proud of Hosting Masterpieces”

IU Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak, in his speech, said that IU Rectorate Building was as precious as a museum and the exhibition of the precious masterpieces like these was very important. Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak said: ‘‘Joining in this activity with our Romanian partners is another pleasure for us. The relationships between the Republic of Turkey and Romania has been started since the first years of our republic and continued on the same level. There is an International Balkan Conference of our university, called ‘IBAK’. We do it in a Balkan country every year. We have seen that there are a lot of cultural values and historical similarities between Turkey and Romania and also we have learned with a great bliss that there are a lot of Turkish words in Romanian. Since these are all source of inspiration which will take us much further in the future. I would like to express my thanks to all our members and our partners for these reasons.’’

“The Exhibition a Symbol of Harmony”

Istanbul ‘‘Dimitrie Cantemir’’ Rumania Cultural Centre Director Nadia Tunsu, by expressing her thanks to everyone joining the project, said that: ‘‘This project is the first one which is made between Romania and Turkey. This project has occurred with the help of the artist who are in passion with art. The project reveals the common elements between Romania and Turkey. The motif that has been made in the exhibition is a symbol of a traditional harmony. It is not only a cultural motif but also a social one. I would like to express my thanks to the academics organizing this magnificent exhibition elaborately and to the students coming from all countries.

After the opening speech, the exhibition was visited by cutting its opening ribbon. The exhibition can be visited by art lovers for a month.

Translated by: İREM YAŞAR

IU Press and Public Relations Department