Contributing to museology studies in our country at different platforms, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Architecture celebrated the International Museum Day through an online seminar titled “The Journey of Museum from Famagusta to London” which commenced at 16:30 on 26 May 2021. In her presentation, EMU Architecture Faculty Dean and Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Uğur Ulaş Dağlı talked about the process of establishing the Famagusta City Museum and the 2-month museum research work carried out in London under the supervision of the European Union Scholarship and ICMAH organisation.
The event was moderated by EMU Architecture Faculty, Interior Architecture Department academic staff member Prof. Dr. Özlem Olgaç Türker.. Referring to the purpose of the International Museums Day, which is celebrated on or around 18 May every year, Prof. Dr. Türker referred to the International Council of Museums ICOM's definition of Museums, which is "Museums are important tools for cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and the development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples".
The opening speech of the event was delivered by EMU Vice Rector for Social and Cultural Affairs Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Iscioglu. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iscioglu stated that Alberto Garlandini, President of ICOM, said, “Museums are bridges between people and cultures”. Referring to the statement “Museums support participation and diversity”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iscioglu also touched upon the work carried out at EMU to shed light on the path towards contemporary museology on our island, which has a very rich culture, to protect our cultural heritage and to pass it on to future generations.
Prior to Prof. Dr. Uğur Ulaş Dağlı's speech, her biography was presented to the participants.. In her presentation, Prof. Dr. Uğur Ulaş Dağlı touched upon the process of establishing a city museum in Famagusta, which is carried out jointly with many stakeholders, and gave examples of idea projects within the scope of graduate courses conducted at EMU Architecture Faculty. Prof. Dr. Dağlı also talked about the effects of 7 different museums on the city and society, which she selected and examined with certain criteria on the axis of contemporary museology in her research carried out in London under the supervision of the ICMAH institution with the European Union scholarship. Prof. Dr. Dağlı also emphasized the importance of non-governmental organizations in such processes. At the end of the presentation, which garnered high participation of those interested, discussions took place within the framework of the questions and comments posed by the audience.
