Yunus Emre Enstitüsü Opens in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Capital Nicosia
Named after Yunus Emre, a Sufi who lived in Anatolia in the 13th and 14th centuries, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü opened its Nicosia Yunus Emre Enstitüsü on 1 December Tuesday in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus capital, Nicosia.
As part of its 2023 Vision, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü that aims to have opened 100 centers by 2023, added Nicosia to its centers in Middle East and Africa regions following the centers in Amman, Beirut, Kabul, Tehran, Rabat, Algeria, Alexandria, Cairo and Jerusalem.
Operations to be carried out by Nicosia Yunus Emre Enstitüsü can be categorized under two headings: supporting foreigners and international students living on the island next to Cypriot Turks in learning Turkish language and organizing activities to promote Cypriot Turkish culture.
TRNC has been referred to as “the education island” in recent years and become a state frequently mentioned in education subject worldwide with nearly twenty thousand foreign students. However, opening an Institute on the Island has become more significant considering that the language of education in TRNC universities is mainly English, and there are limited opportunities for those who would like to learn and improve their Turkish.
Cypriot culture is an authentic synthesis for the Island has hosted various civilizations throughout the history. Another major mission of Nicosia Yunus Emre Enstitüsü will be revealing the diversities in this cultural wealth, and reinforcing the cultural bridges between Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. For this purpose Nicosia Yunus Emre Enstitüsü will organize activities to revive traditional Cypriot Turkish handicrafts in various subjects as “Lefkara” (an authentic lacework), “Wood Engraving”, “Silk-Growing” and “Turkish Cuisine” as well as art courses, Turkish literature and cinema days, concerts, conferences, symposiums, literature days and will contribute in promotion of Turkish culture.
Nicosia Yunus Emre Enstitüsü has officially commenced its operations after the opening ceremony honored by Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoğlu.
About history of Nicosia Yunus Emre Enstitüsü Building:
Derviş Efendizade Mustafa Foundation Mansion
Historical building, today known as the “Mansion” by Cypriot Turks, was built by Lusignans between years 1208-1326 right next to St. Sophia Cathedral in the center of Nicosia, as the administrative building for Cathedral clergymen. Following Ottoman Empire’s conquest of Cyprus in 1571, Cathedral was transformed into a mosque to serve Muslim Turks on the island along with administrative building. After the conquest, Cathedral took the name “Hagia Sophia Mosque”, and a second floor was added to the administrative building in Ottoman architectural style to serve kadis in Cyprus. This historical building that served as “Kadi Mansion” for long years, functioned as an Islamic school for a while and used by the muftis on the Island throughout British period. Historical building that also served as a pension, home, restaurant etc. in recent years, was rented from Cyprus Direction of Foundations by Yunus Emre Enstitüsü in 2014 and renamed Derviş Efendizade Mustafa Foundation Mansion. Building was completely restored to its original state.
