Media Coverage of Eskisehir Exhibition

The Media Coverage of Eskisehir Exhibition in Turkish media is headlined as "Mandela's Suitcase Opened in Odunpazarı".

The opening ceremony of "Mandela's Suitcase and Colours from the World" Exhibition, which is roving all over the world is opened in Eskişehir Odunpazarı Municipality Contemporary Arts Gallery.

The Exhibition is opened with the participation of the Republican People’s Party Eskisehir Deputy Mr Utku Cakirozer, Mayor of Eskisehir Metropolitan Municipality Prof.Dr. Yilmaz Buyukersen, Mayor of Odunpazarı Municipality Av. Kazim Kurt, Mayor of Han Municipality Mr Erdal Sanli, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa HE Pule Malefane, Head of Eskisehir City Council Mrs Nuray Akcasoy and several art-lovers attended the exhibition.

This year 2018, South Africa and indeed the world celebrate the Centenary of Nelson Mandela under the theme ‘Be the Legacy’ and this add extra value to the "Mandela's Suitcase and Colours from the World" Painting Exhibition.

The Curator of the Exhibition Mr ibrahim Karaoglu gathered 25 art works in the exhibition. The Exhibition is first exhibited in Germany at the Hannover 2000 Expo and is composed from the works of famous collector of the world Ernst August Quensen and consists of lithographs of 13 international artists from 3 different continents in a special wooden suitcase formed by Qwusu Ankomah. The artists are Günther Uecker, Germany - Jörg Immendorf, Germany - Jean Miotte, France - Owusu-Ankomah, Ghana - M.Bethe-Sélassié, Ethiopia - Mo Edoga, Nigeria - EL Loko, Togo - Sol LeWitt, USA - Name June Paik, USA - Allen Jones, UK - Esther Malangu, South Africa - Nils Burwitz, Spain - Sokari Douglas Camp, Nigeria.

The art suitcase also includes art pieces of 20^th Century painters Andre Lanskoy, Andre Masson, Hans Hartung and Robert Combas.

Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa HE Pule Malefane started his opening speech by thanking President of Eskisehir Metropolitan Municipality Prof.Dr. Yılmaz Buyukersen.

"Let me commence by extending fraternal greeting to the Mayor of Eskisehir, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen. Mr Mayor the last time I was in this beautiful city that you correctly lead, I promised you that I will come back very soon to reclaim my place amongst the great people of Eskisehir.

Let me further acknowledge the Mayor of Odunpazarı Municipality and a good friend of mine, Mr Kazım Kurt and the presence of senior members of your Municipal Government, our great friend from Germany who is also our chief curator, Mr İbrahim Karaoğlu. It would be a mistake on my part if I forget to acknowledge the humble people of this city.

Today I want to re-introduce you to an icon of our times in the mould of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. This greatest son of Africa would have been a hundred years old this year. His name is Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who is also affectionately known as Madiba, his clan name. This humble soul, Nelson Mandela should be remembered as a struggle stalwart, freedom fighter and first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa. In celebrating the centenary of Madiba’s life we should remember his unwavering commitment to justice, equality and non-racism in South Africa and the world.

Nelson Mandela was a central figure in the struggle for liberation from the unjust apartheid system. Mandela’s struggle for liberation saw him spend 27 years in prison from 1964 to 1991. During his years in prison, his reputation grew steadily and he was widely accepted as one of the most significant black leaders in South Africa. Mandela consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom and rejected at least three conditional offers of release. The former President’s steadfast resolve in the face of adversity led him to become a strong symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength.

Nelson Mandela left an indelible mark on our society having laid the foundation for a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society. As South Africa, Madiba’s legacy lives on in our commitment to ensure a just and fair society for all, including the rights to dignity and freedom of expression. We will continue to address the difficult issues which face us by engaging in dialogue, mindful that any solution must be to the benefit of all. We as a country advices all nations to adopt the same principles in dispute resolution.

Today let us make a commitment in marking the 100 year anniversary of Madiba’s life to be agents of the values he had left with us. Values of Social Justice and Fairness, Freedom and dignity, Democracy, harmony and Unity, Peace and security, Instruments of change and support the less fortunate within our communities.

This Exhibition today should rekindle our desire to be good citizens of the world, like Nelson Mandela. To forever remember the legacy of the greatest statesman to have ever walked this earth. Let us find inspiration in his wise words saying, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite”.

Let us recommit ourselves through his legacy to support the people of: Syria, Palestine, Western Sahara, Myanmar, African immigrants in Europe and all other places in conflict all over the world.

Let me concluded by using Nelson Mandela’s words, ‘As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest’. Let us celebrate his life by being “the legacy” in emulating his life and teachings."

"One of the greatest men who resist to racism and imperialism, after Mustafa Kemal"

Mayor of Odunpazarı Municipality Mr Kazım Kurt in his opening speech of the exhibition mentioned that we are beginning our exhibition with the birthday of one of the greatest men who resist to racism and imperialism, after Mustafa Kemal. Mandela resisted the worlds white imperialists towards the

Mandela struggled with imperialist racism of the whites against the black people in the world. He is an iconic leader, who became a flag for his people. A leader who combined black people and white people, made them brothers and sisters. Today here in Turkey where most poor people know a wooden suitcase full of paintings is brightening the world. Eskisehir Odunpazarı Municipality Contemporary Art Gallery wanted to contribute this with this second exhibition. I hope that you will like it. As the Ambassador mentioned we are not give up our ideal of “Peace at Home Peace in the World”. The exhibition will strengthen the brotherhood and world peace. The Exhibition will be open until 12 April between 10:00-20:00.

Ambassador Malefane and his wife who visited Eskisehir for the opening also visited the Hamamyolu Park area and impressed with the new arrangements and visited the nearby museums. He also congratulated Mr Kurt for his latest efforts in renovating the area for public.

Please click on the following links to read more about the exhibition news.

http://www.sozcu.com.tr/hayatim/kultur-sanat-haberleri/mandelanin-bavulu-dunyayi-aydinlatiyor/

https://www.eskisehirsonhaber.com/eskisehir-haber/sehit-aileleri-es-es-macini-kazim-kurt-la-izledi-h236699.html

https://www.eskisehirsonhaber.com/eskisehir-haber/mandela-nin-bavulu-odunpazari-nda-acildi-h236830.html

https://www.medyamidas.com/mandelanin-bavulu-acildi-354h.htm

http://www.sonhaber.com.tr/mandela-nin-bavulu-eskisehirlilere-acildi-73963.html

http://www.sehirgazetesi.com.tr/dunyayi-gezip-geldi/22401/

http://www.istikbalgazetesi.com/haber.asp?sec=1&newscatid=7&newsid=186195

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/mandelanin-bavulu-odunpazarinda-acildi-40760769

http://www.milliyet.com.tr/mandela-nin-bavulu-odunpazari-nda-acildi-eskisehir-yerelhaber-2634846/

http://www.mynet.com/haber/guncel/mandelanin-bavulu-odunpazarinda-acildi-3812044-1

http://www.esgundem26.com/yerel/sehit-aileleri-es-es-macini-kazim-kurt-la-izledi-h14273.html