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Film Supported by EMU Wins Prestigious Award

Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Social and Cultural Activities Directorate, Fine Arts Club instructor Ayhatun Ateşin’s film “Alashia Yeniden Doğuyor” has won an award at the 18th International Golden Saffron Documentary Film Festival. Alashia Yeniden Doğuyor was awarded the TÜRKSOY Special Award at the “Cultural Heritage and Protectionism” themed competition. The film emphasizes that the cultural heritage of countries should remain on their land and shows 12 thousand year old Cypriot artefacts being transported abroad and exhibited in museums. The film also shows the artefacts being replicated in a story that begins in the Mediterranean. At the 18th anniversary of the festival that takes place in Safranbolu, located in the Karabük province of Turkey, the award ceremony took place at the conference hall of the Karabük University, Safranbolu Fine Arts Faculty. The ceremony was attended by Karabük Deputy Governor Osman Yenidoğan, Safranbolu Caimacam and Mayor Fatih Ürkmezer, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Director General of Cinema Enver Arslan, Yeşilçam artists and award winning directors.

“A story of Existence and The Road”

During her speech upon receiving the award EMU Fine Arts Club instructor Ayhatun Ateşin noted that Cyprus is an island that has been called home by many civilisations and that the word “Alashia” in the title is the old name of Cyprus. Highlighting that historical artefacts are being transported off the island Ateşin stated “If you take something belonging to a country, that country starts to slowly disappear along with its history. Alashia Yeniden Doğuyor is a story of existence and of the road. A road from the past to the future. What we are experiencing and what we want to get across is making a claim to historical inheritance taken from one country to others via producing replicas.” Stating that receiving the award in Safranbolu, a town protected by being on the UNESCO World Heritage List is important to her, Ayhatun Ateşin concluded by expressing that she is proud of everyone who participated in the making of the award winning film.