TURKISH ENGLISH BOOK TO SHED LİGHT ON HİSTORY OF AHTAMAR

TURKISH ENGLISH BOOK TO SHED LİGHT ON HİSTORY OF AHTAMAR

VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU


ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Research on the history of Akdamar Island conducted by Armenian historian Stepan Mnatsakanian has been compiled by historians Ara Sarafyan and Osman Köker and published by Birzamanlar Publication in both Turkish and English. ‘I have observed that Turkish people are interested in the history of this land,’ says Sarafyan

Despite being an object of dispute between Turks and Armenians, the historic Surp Haç Church on Akdamar Island has also recently paved the way for dialogue between the two groups.

Ara Sarafyan, director of the London-based Gomidas Institute, and Osman Köker, owner of Birzamanlar Publications, have published a book about Akdamar Island. The book is titled “Aghtamar: A Jewel of Medieval Armenian Architecture / Ahtamar: Ortaçağ Ermeni Mimarlığı'nın Mücevheri” and is available in both English and Turkish.

Armenian General Benevolent Union, or AGBU, one of the most important organizations in the diaspora, gave its support to the book, which Köker and Sarafyan wrote from research conducted by Armenian Stepan Mnatsakanian in 1980.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the book is its drawings of the Surp Haç Church. Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Sarafyan said, “I realized that Turkish people are interested in the history of this land.”

Köker shared the reasons he and Sarafyan published the book. “By publishing this type of book, we are trying to raise public awareness,” he said. “The traditional historical ideology should be broken in Turkey, and I think this book will help do that.”

History of the island

Noting that many Armenian cultural sites in Anatolia have been damaged, and kept away from their rightful owners, Sarafyan said, “There is a big paradox here, because the ownership of Armenian cultural sites is not written in the Van Archaeology Museum, but the Surp Haç Church is now open to worship.” He admitted that Turkey has made important steps toward democracy, but not enough has been done.

“I noticed the dialogue between the Turks and Armenians improving during the worship,” he said. “The diaspora may react negatively to what I am saying, but I think this shows progress. No positive development should be ignored.”

Sarafyan said he and Köker deliberately published the book simultaneously with the opening of the church. “Everyone was talking about the church, but no one was aware of its historical significance,” he said.

“I totally agree with him, and believe that our work was very successful,” said Köker. “Since 2007, everyone has been debating which cross should be displayed on the dome of the church, but nobody knows the building’s historical significance. I have been conducting research on the history of Armenians for years, and even I was not aware of the historical significance of the island until preparing this book.

“The island was the capital of the Armenian kingdom of Arzsurini,” said Köker. “A palace, a tower and some houses were built on the island. It was not a place where priests lived in seclusion.”

When asked about the architectural drawings on the back of the book, Köker said, “These drawings and figures will enable people to understand the island in a more general sense. We did not want the book to be thick. We wanted it to be an easy read.”

Noting that Anatolia has been home to various civilizations throughout history, Köker said, “We always choose to forget the history of this land. “We are all under the impression that everything began and has continued with Turks. This is mainly because the new generation is comprised of many nationalist and discriminatory individuals. This is why differences are not tolerated. It is time to break away from this way of thinking.”

Köker said he was very excited about the interest the book has garnered. “I know that this interest will increase in the future. As historical awareness increases, people will be more willing to protect it.”