By Heidi Trautmann

The European Mediterranean Art Association can be proud of their achievements after ten years of intensive work. The anniversary was celebrated with two events, the first in the seat of the association, the beautiful former municipality building, with a display of work done, chronologically listed on wall charts as well as all the posters, invitation cards, brochures lovingly collected over the years. Most of the events I have visited and reported on and in some of them I have taken part. It is wonderful to see something growing, something that is so important for a country, important for the members as art and creativity has always been very important in my own life.

 I feel even more connected to EMAA now, not only to have done my book “Art and Creativity in North Cyprus” together with them,  but also to have been given a plaque of appreciation along with my friends Ismet Tatar, Inci Kansu, Kadir Kaba and Argyro Toumazou. I feel very honoured. The ceremony was conducted by Nilgün Güney, founding president of the association and Özgül Ezgin current president.

Ten days later celebrations continued at the Ismet Güney Art Centre with the opening of an art exhibition bringing together the art works by EMAA artists. On the occasion the artists Cevdet Çağdaş and Ayhan Menteş were awarded with a Plaque of Honour for their contributions to the Turkish Cypriot art in general. It is very good that the older generation is always remembered.

As from the next General Assembly which will take place beginning of January 2013 the members of board will be elected and new programmes established. It is EMAA’s intention to spread their connections to other Mediterranean countries and establish solid bases of cooperation with a regular exchange between artists, art groups and associations and to take part in international events, besides the agenda they have here in the country itself.

 The art work on posters a invitations are by Gökçe Şekeroğlu.