EMU Organising an Architectural Project Contest for Muratağa, Sandallar and Atlılar

Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Design and Research Center (TASAR) is organising an architectural design project contest for Muratağa, Sandallar and Atlılar Martyrs Memorial. The said contest will be taking place under the coordination of TASAR and with the support and contributions of TRNC President’s Office, EMU, Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Architects, and Cyprus Turkish Constructors’ Association.

A press conference about the details of the said contest took place at EMU Rector’s Office at 10:00 a.m. on 5 November 2015 with the participation of EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam, Dean of Architecture Faculty Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara , chair of TASAR Assist. Prof. Dr. Ercan Hoşkara, TASAR Executive Board members Assist. Prof. Dr. Pınar Uluçay, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zehra Öngül and Assist. Prof. Kamil Güney, Muratağa, Atlılar and Sandallar Martyrs Association Chair Ahmet Aşır and Vice Chair Hüseyin Güler.

“Owning the Past is Not Hostility”

In the press conference, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Nedet Osam commemorated the martyrs of Muratağa, Atlılar and Sandallar and added that EMU is a university with an awareness of societal values and is always ready to undertake duties regarding the protection of societal values. Prof. Dr. Osam also added that owning the past has got nothing to do with hostility.

“EMU is a University with Social Awareness”

Dean of EMU Architecture Faculty Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara expressed her faculty’s pleasure in supporting a meaningful project as such and added that EMU Architecture Faculty has always been sensitive towards societal issues. Adding that the management of the said project will be handled by TASAR, Prof. Dr. Hoşkara said that the project will act as a community service tool.

“Application Deadline: 7 December 2015”

Chair of TASAR Assist. Prof. Dr. Ercan Hoşkara stated that as part of the work of the Committee on Missing Persons, identity identification procedures of martyrs buried in war cemeteries in Muratağa – Sandallar and Atlılar have been initiated. Prof. Dr. Ercan Hoşkara added that the said committee is expecting to receive the results within a year upon the completion of DNA tests. Once the identity identification has taken place, a separate funeral for each person and family will take place. In this respect, the need for the re-organisation of the existing war cemeteries as well as a museum displaying personal belongings of the deceased has arisen. Assist. Prof. Dr. Hoşkara added that along with the monument, the project will also include a museum of about 300 square meters.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Hoşkara stated that the document listing the conditions for the said contest may be obtained from Architecture Faculty as of 16 November 2015. Interested participants may register their names until 7 December 2015. Assist. Prof. Dr. Hoşkara added that they are planning the finalise the contest by 15 January 2016 and to finish the first phase of the construction by 14 August 2016.

Importance of Conveying the Past to Future Generations

Muratağa, Atlılar and Sandallar Martyrs Association Chair Ahmet Aşır provided information on the history of the site and stressed the importance of conveying the past to future generations. Thanking all those who contributed to the project, Aşır stated that the Turkish Cypriot nation will always remember their martyrs.

https://www.facebook.com/154036407950395/videos/1035044443182916/