CIU students immersed in Turkish Cypriot Culture

Office of the Social Activities and Student Clubs of Cyprus International University (CIU) paid a visit to HASDER Handicrafts Center to enable students to get to know the Turkish Cypriot culture better.

During the trip organized for the students studying at CIU to learn about the Cypriot culture, the students also witnessed how the Turkish Cypriot culture has been shaped and changed in time.

Speaking about HASDER, Social Activities and Student Clubs Coordinator Selen Akün Kalaycı said, “HASDER is a non-profit organization that produces, exhibits and disseminates many Turkish Cypriot products such as making silkworm cocoon panels, saddle-basket-“sesta” production, wood carving, Lefkara production. It is a non-governmental organization”.

Kalaycı also stated that foreign students at the university received detailed information about the products exhibited at the HASDER Center and said, "Our students especially liked the panels made of silk cocoons and the clothes reflecting the Turkish Cypriot culture."

Reminding that the main mission of universities is to train specialists in certain fields and to open career paths for students, Kalaycı said, “However, we want our students not only to receive quality education but also to have information about the culture and life of the country they are currently residing in. In this way, they can contribute to the promotion of our country as cultural ambassadors after their graduation.”

During the visit, Kalaycı also presented a plaque to HASDER for its contributions to the CIU Orientation Days and noted that they will continue to organize such visits with new and incoming students every semester.