A tribute ceremony was held for Education Faculty, Fine Arts Education Department academic staff member Sen. Inst. Aleksandr Zabolotkov, who passed away as a result of a sudden illness, leaving the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Family in mourning. Alex Zabolotkov, son of the late Aleksandr Zabolotkov, who is known for his benevolent and gentleman personality, and EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, Vice Rectors, Deans, Faculty Members, university staff, artists, art lovers and students attended the ceremony held in front of EMU Faculty of Education on Wednesday, 20 April, 2022 at 14:00.
“We Will Never Forget You”
Speaking at the ceremony, EMU Academic Personnel Union PresidentSen. Inst. Ulaş Gökçe said, “Today we lost a very good member of our union. Wherever he went, you could only hear good things about him. He left behind only good memories, a good name and an invaluable son who is also an academician. Aleksandr was a person who could only be complimented. From here I say goodbye to him. We will not forget you, Alexander".
Alex Zabolotkov, son of the late Aleksandr Zabolotkov, said, “I would like to thank everyone for their participation. His esteemed students and colleagues will know well, my father did not want to have a music stand in front of him when he went to a concert or a performance. He said it would spoil the image and wanted to play completely on his own. In fact, if there are some of those who came to these performances, they know that he worked hard for a long time to be able to play Vivaldi's four seasons concerto by heart. Finally, he gave a concert in Bellapais. His family was the art community, his students and colleagues.” Stating that his father knew many languages, Alex Zabolotkov said, “However, he knew one more language that I observed. It was human language. He had a direct communication with everyone. He was someone who cared a lot about human relations. Thank you very much for your participation.May he rest in peace".
“Rest in Peace Aleks”
EMU Education Faculty, Fine Arts Education Department Chair Prof. Dr. Serdar Çetin Aydar stated that it is very difficult to speak after such a valuable name. Expressing that he came to Cyprus last year and joined the EMU Family, Prof. Dr. Serdar Çetin Aydar stated that he had the opportunity to get to know Aleksandr Zabolotkov during this year, Aydar stated he saw that he had very good relations with his students, and that he observed that everyone at the university and the art community loved him very much. Prof. Dr. Aydar said, “It is a very sudden and unexpected loss for our department, faculty, university and Cyprus. It's hard for us to fill your place. I take this opportunity to offer my condolences to his family, students, ex-students, our university community and all Cypriot art lovers. Rest in peace, Aleks".
“Our Faculty Lost a Valuable Member”
EMU Education Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Ahmet Pehlivan, “Dear friends. I really don't know what to say. Our Faculty of Education has lost a valuable member, a symbol. We bid him farewell in his final journey. Our academic staff Aleks was an irreplaceable person. He was a completely unique person with his relationship with his students, his artistic character and his unique personality. I am really sad. He was a person who had ties with everyone in this university, with the Dean's office, his students, the Rector's Office, and his staff. He also took part in our promotional activities. I'm so sorry and extend my most sincere condolences to everyone. May he sleep in the eternal light".
“We Have Lost Someone Who Can't Be Replaced”
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın said, “Dear EMU Family. I am really sad. We have lost a very valuable lecturer, a member of our family. Aleks was a very special personality. He was very cheerful, witty and versatile. Before I became the Rector, I met him in the cafeteria of the Faculty of Engineering and had very nice conversations with him. He was a very different person. Considering the nature of conversations, which contain invaluable information on music and art, and him offering private courses at the Faculty of Medicine, we have lost a truly irreplaceable person. When I first heard about his passing, I was deeply saddened. Because I felt that I have lost not only a valuable a lecturer at our university, but also a good friend. My deepest condolences to all EMU Community. I extend my most sincere sympathies to his family and son."
Set a Throne in the Hearts of the EMU Family
After the speeches, EMU Education Faculty, Fine Arts Education Department held a music concert and bid farewell to the late Aleksandr Zabolotkov with the music he devoted his life to. Afterwards, flowers were laid on Aleksandr Zabolotkov's coffin and he was put on the hearse on the shoulders of the EMU Family. Aleksandr Zabolotkov was then sent off to his final resting place in the British Cemetery.
Aleksandr Zabolotkov, who has held various positions at EMU for 22 years since 15 September, 2000, and has brought up many successful artists and music teachers, and has left a very important mark in the field of art in the country and society. Aleksandr Zabolotkov, who also served as the EMU Education Faculty Fine Arts Education Department Chair between 2010 and 2012, set a throne in the hearts of the EMU family with his benevolent gentleman personality and artist identity.
