The “Denktaş in London” exhibition, which includes photographs of Founding President Rauf Denktaş and his views on the history of Cyprus and his personal life, was opened to the public in London.

The opening of the exhibition at the London Yunus Emre Institute was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to London Osman Koray Ertaş, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Representative in London Çimen Keskin, Director of the London Yunus Emre Institute Mehmet Karakuş, Mine Kar and Cem Kar who prepared the exhibition and guests.

In his speech at the event Turkish Ambassador Osman Koray Ertaş said “There is a great labour here and this labour tells the story of a cause, not just a life. We see here not only the life of a leader who devoted himself to his country, but also the life of an elegant gentleman, the life of a man of peace, the life of an individual who puts people at the centre and has a strong emotional side.”

Stating that Denktaş was a determined person who fought for his country, Ertaş said that Denktaş’s speech at the United Nations Security Council in 1983 was a lesson for Turkish diplomats.

He stated that Denktaş was a source of inspiration not only for the Turkish Cypriots but also for millions of Turks.

TRNC’s London Representative Çimen Keskin emphasized that Denktaş left an important mark on the Turkish Cypriot history and said, “Denktaş dedicated his entire life as a lawyer, a politician and a diplomat to the cause of rights, equality and freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people.”

Stating that Denktaş was a person who gained the respect of everyone, Keskin said, “This exhibition also tells the struggle for freedom and independence of the Turkish Cypriot people.”

Keskin then read the message sent by Denktaş’s son Serdar Denktaş.

Director of the Yunus Emre Institute in London Mehmet Karakuş in his speech at the event pointed out that the exhibition also tells the artistic side of Denktaş and said, “In this sense, we are hosting such an exhibition as an institution that promotes Turkish culture, art and history.”

Cem and Mine Kar for their part said that the exhibition consisted of 250 photographs selected among nearly 50 thousand photographs from Denktaş’s photo archive.

The duo stated that in addition to the photographs, Denktaş’s views regarding certain moments are also included and that the exhibition can also be visited online.

The exhibition, which also tells the history of Cyprus, includes photographs taken by Denktaş with his own camera.

The exhibition, which will remain open until November 30 at the Yunus Emre Institute in London, can be visited between 10am and 4pm on weekdays.