French presidential candidate ‘feels close to Turks
Monday, June 27, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
The presidential candidate said he attended Istanbul’s Galatasaray University as an exchange student recently.
The youngest contender for the French presidency in 2012 has said he is already well-acquainted with Turkey thanks to family roots that go back to eastern Turkey.
Maxime Verner’s mother has Armenian roots in the eastern province of Erzurum, while the 21-year-olտ candidate’s father is ethnic French.
“I know Turkey very well; I am interested [in Turkish] history also. I feel [that the] Turks are very close to me. They are open-minded. I want to build a bridge between Turkey and other countries. I would like to tell them that the world of tomorrow is ours. We have responsibilities to conquer and obtain solidarity,” Verner told the Hürriyet Daily News in a recent email interview, adding that he followed the example of the world-famous Armenian-French artist Charles Aznavour.
“I am not expecting any support [from] the French-Armenian community; I am French. But lots of Armenians and Turks do support me,” Verner said.
The presidential candidate also said he attended Istanbul’s Galatasaray University as an exchange student recently.
Verner, whose father was a taxi driver, said his interest in politics began while he was working in his father’s cab in the village where he was born.
“Today, I do not belong to any party; my family has never belonged to any [parties either.] I became popular [through the support of] the working class,” he added.
The French constitution was altered because of his candidacy, to allow the then 18-year-old Verner to enter parliament three years ago, he said.
“I want to change the future, the young generations, the long-term perspectives, the world. I want to help France open itself to the world. I would like to free society where anything is possible for anyone. I believe emotions can change the world,” he said and added that he made extensive use of modern technology during election campaigns.
Verner also said he was a member of the “Association des Jeunes de France” (The Association for the French Youth) and said the youth wanted to earn the trust of the French people.
“We want to elucidate [people on] how great the potential of young people is and what we can do,” he said.
28 Haziran 2011 Salı
27 Haziran 2011 Pazartesi
Hidden Armenians in Turkey expose their identities
Friday, June 24, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
DİYARBAKIR – Hürriyet Daily News
Gaffur Türkay, a prominent Diyarbakır Armenian who identifies himself as a Sunni Muslim, says that ‘the religion is not important but I want to learn my language.’
The stories of Armenians who had concealed their identities for decades have begun surfacing over recent years as Turkey continues treading its path toward democratization. Many of them live under their Sunni – Muslim or Kurdish – Alevi identities, although they still define themselves ethnically as Armenians.
“Race, identity and religion are distinct affairs. I’ve been raised as a Sunni-Muslim, and live as one, but I deny neither my past nor my culture. Religion is not important, but I want to know my language,” Gaffur Türkay, a prominent Diyarbakır Armenian who identifies as a Sunni Muslim, told the Hürriyet Daily News last week.
Türkay was 15 when he learned that his real surname is Ohanyan. His father was a pilgrim, and Türkay grew up with Sunni–Muslim culture. Muslim Armenians in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır recognize each other, he said.
“The perception of Islam [in Diyarbakır] is very important,” he said. “[The people in Diyarbakır] can tolerate you up to a certain point when you say you are Armenian. Things change, however, when you touch upon Islam.”
Türkay added that Christian Armenians look down upon Muslim Armenians.
“[They behave] as if we had a choice in the matter. The Armenian identity must bond around race, not religion. Religion can be chosen, but not race,” he said.
Yusuf Halaçoğlu, the former president of the Turkish Historical Society, or TTK, said the situation in Diyarbakır could be seen in other parts of the country. “There are hidden Armenians not just in Diyarbakır but all across Turkey, and now they are also revealing their identities,” he told the Daily News over the phone. Halaçoğlu was removed from his post at the TTK following public response to his remarks claiming that Kurds living in Turkey were actually Turcomans and that Kurdish – Alevis were of Armenian descent.
“My remarks were falsely conveyed to the public,” Kalaçoğlu said. “I shared this information with the deceased Hrant Dink as well. I tried to highlight under which identities those Armenians who supposedly died in 1915 still continue to exist,” he said, adding that he possessed records of Armenians who concealed their identities.
“This is information emanating from records [contained] in the United States archives. I have records [that indicate] the villages and locations they reside in, and the names of the clans they live under,” said Halaçoğlu.
İsmet Şahin, a Hemşin researcher and politician, said that, despite a grain of truth in Halaçoğlu’s comments, his remarks were intended to insult Armenians,
Islamicized Armenians who live in the provinces of Artvin and Rize in Turkey’s eastern Black Sea region define themselves as Hemşins and speak a dialect of the Armenian language. Hamshenite Armenians still maintain their Christian traditions, even though they define themselves as Muslims, according to Şahin.
His research indicated that a large portion of hidden Armenians in Turkey live under the Kurdish – Alevi identity, Şahin added.
“The numbers of Armenians who changed their identities [can be found in Turkey’s] state archives,” he over the phone. Turkey’s state archives contain many documents about this subject, Şahin further noted and added that Halaçoğlu had access to this information as well.
“There were elements of truism in [Halaçoğlu’s] remarks, academically speaking,” Kazım Gündoğan, a researcher and documentarian, told the Daily News in a phone interview, but “[Halaçoğlu] treated this subject matter as political material.” Gündoğan’s family lives under the Kurdish – Alevi identity in the southeastern province of Tunceli, formerly known as Dersim.
“Despite the fact that [covert Armenians in Tunceli] define themselves as Kurdish – Alevis, they have connections with the churches in Istanbul. They pray out in nature,” added Gündüz who said he conducted his research by appealing to witnesses.
Friday, June 24, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
DİYARBAKIR – Hürriyet Daily News
Gaffur Türkay, a prominent Diyarbakır Armenian who identifies himself as a Sunni Muslim, says that ‘the religion is not important but I want to learn my language.’
The stories of Armenians who had concealed their identities for decades have begun surfacing over recent years as Turkey continues treading its path toward democratization. Many of them live under their Sunni – Muslim or Kurdish – Alevi identities, although they still define themselves ethnically as Armenians.
“Race, identity and religion are distinct affairs. I’ve been raised as a Sunni-Muslim, and live as one, but I deny neither my past nor my culture. Religion is not important, but I want to know my language,” Gaffur Türkay, a prominent Diyarbakır Armenian who identifies as a Sunni Muslim, told the Hürriyet Daily News last week.
Türkay was 15 when he learned that his real surname is Ohanyan. His father was a pilgrim, and Türkay grew up with Sunni–Muslim culture. Muslim Armenians in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır recognize each other, he said.
“The perception of Islam [in Diyarbakır] is very important,” he said. “[The people in Diyarbakır] can tolerate you up to a certain point when you say you are Armenian. Things change, however, when you touch upon Islam.”
Türkay added that Christian Armenians look down upon Muslim Armenians.
“[They behave] as if we had a choice in the matter. The Armenian identity must bond around race, not religion. Religion can be chosen, but not race,” he said.
Yusuf Halaçoğlu, the former president of the Turkish Historical Society, or TTK, said the situation in Diyarbakır could be seen in other parts of the country. “There are hidden Armenians not just in Diyarbakır but all across Turkey, and now they are also revealing their identities,” he told the Daily News over the phone. Halaçoğlu was removed from his post at the TTK following public response to his remarks claiming that Kurds living in Turkey were actually Turcomans and that Kurdish – Alevis were of Armenian descent.
“My remarks were falsely conveyed to the public,” Kalaçoğlu said. “I shared this information with the deceased Hrant Dink as well. I tried to highlight under which identities those Armenians who supposedly died in 1915 still continue to exist,” he said, adding that he possessed records of Armenians who concealed their identities.
“This is information emanating from records [contained] in the United States archives. I have records [that indicate] the villages and locations they reside in, and the names of the clans they live under,” said Halaçoğlu.
İsmet Şahin, a Hemşin researcher and politician, said that, despite a grain of truth in Halaçoğlu’s comments, his remarks were intended to insult Armenians,
Islamicized Armenians who live in the provinces of Artvin and Rize in Turkey’s eastern Black Sea region define themselves as Hemşins and speak a dialect of the Armenian language. Hamshenite Armenians still maintain their Christian traditions, even though they define themselves as Muslims, according to Şahin.
His research indicated that a large portion of hidden Armenians in Turkey live under the Kurdish – Alevi identity, Şahin added.
“The numbers of Armenians who changed their identities [can be found in Turkey’s] state archives,” he over the phone. Turkey’s state archives contain many documents about this subject, Şahin further noted and added that Halaçoğlu had access to this information as well.
“There were elements of truism in [Halaçoğlu’s] remarks, academically speaking,” Kazım Gündoğan, a researcher and documentarian, told the Daily News in a phone interview, but “[Halaçoğlu] treated this subject matter as political material.” Gündoğan’s family lives under the Kurdish – Alevi identity in the southeastern province of Tunceli, formerly known as Dersim.
“Despite the fact that [covert Armenians in Tunceli] define themselves as Kurdish – Alevis, they have connections with the churches in Istanbul. They pray out in nature,” added Gündüz who said he conducted his research by appealing to witnesses.
24 Haziran 2011 Cuma
A small church service in Diyarbakır signals bigger reconciliation
Sunday, June 19, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
DİYARBAKIR - Hürriyet Daily News
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Hearkening back to Diyarbakır’s cosmopolitan past, diaspora Armenians and clergy held a small service in a local church Saturday in what many hope is a harbinger for a more multicultural future in the southeastern city.
“The sounds of the call to prayer and church bells will mix here on this land from now on,” Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir said following the service at the restored Surp Giragos Church. “There were major sorrows experienced in the past. We [condemn] the heartlessness of those days in our hearts and we want a new start.”
“Diyarbakır was a multicultural city in the past but we lost a lot with the ‘monist’ policy with the [Turkish] Republic. To be able to resurrect social peace, lessons should be learned from the past and history needs to be encountered. Kurds want to live together with and embrace those populations that [hegemonic actors] set at loggerheads with each other,” Diyarbakır Sur Mayor Abdullah Demirbaş told the Hürriyet Daily News, adding that he was very pleased to be able to host the guests.
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Noting that Sur Municipality had recently printed Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Gatil mi Meghr” [A drop of honey] in Armenian, Demirbaş said: “Tales for children, history for adults; we are giving back to what belongs to this land by looking after languages.”
Baydemir greeted visitors with carnations in his office immediately following the service and said he was conscious that they had been rather late in doing something for Armenians.
Meanwhile, Archbishop and Deputy Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said, “It is a start that Diyarbakır Armenians come and visit the land they have been born. We hope it [this trend] continues.”
Defined as the largest church in the Middle East by some experts, the historic Surp Giragos Church will host a more grandiose service in October. Along with the representatives of Armenian Apostolic Churches from all around the world, representatives of sister churches and leading names from the diaspora are expected to form part of the large congregation.
‘Telling the world about Anatolia’
Among the diaspora Armenian group of about 20 professors, historians and businesspeople that attended Saturday’s service was world-famous lute maestro, Armenian-American Udi Yervant, who is also known as Yervant Bostancı.
Born in Diyarbakır and visiting his hometown after a 19-year break, Bostancı said: “I have yearned for the land I was born in for years. I am not a diaspora Armenian: Not for one moment has my country left my soul and my heart. I live in Los Angeles but my songs tell of Anatolia to the world.
“I was never able to become a [true resident of] Istanbul, and I am not able to become an American. I have always lived in Diyarbakır and still live there. I wish people were able to live and die in the land where they were born,” he said.
In a special evening event organized by Baydemir for the diaspora Armenians, Bostancı took the stage and performed several songs in Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish.
Coming from Toronto, former Istanbul resident Raffi Bedrosyan said some difficulties occurred while collecting donations from diaspora Armenians for the church’s restoration.
“They did not want to donate money for the restoration of this church because they thought it prioritized Turkish and Kurdish interests. The diaspora is still living the trauma of 1915,” he said.
Last Armenian in Diyarbakır
The last Armenian to have lived in Diyarbakır, 81-year old Sarkis Bedrosyan, said it was a special feeling to see Surp Giragos with his own eyes once more.
Expressing his happiness that the mayor was able to host them, he said: “The mayor talked about a truth that was forgotten in this city. The Armenian past was mentioned; that was extremely important.”
The Istanbul Armenian businessman who started the church’s restoration process, Diyarbakır-born Ergün Ayık said he was happy but added that he wished there had been more support for the church.
The total cost of the restoration is around $2.5 million; once the church is open for services its annex buildings will host several culture and arts projects.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
DİYARBAKIR - Hürriyet Daily News
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Hearkening back to Diyarbakır’s cosmopolitan past, diaspora Armenians and clergy held a small service in a local church Saturday in what many hope is a harbinger for a more multicultural future in the southeastern city.
“The sounds of the call to prayer and church bells will mix here on this land from now on,” Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir said following the service at the restored Surp Giragos Church. “There were major sorrows experienced in the past. We [condemn] the heartlessness of those days in our hearts and we want a new start.”
“Diyarbakır was a multicultural city in the past but we lost a lot with the ‘monist’ policy with the [Turkish] Republic. To be able to resurrect social peace, lessons should be learned from the past and history needs to be encountered. Kurds want to live together with and embrace those populations that [hegemonic actors] set at loggerheads with each other,” Diyarbakır Sur Mayor Abdullah Demirbaş told the Hürriyet Daily News, adding that he was very pleased to be able to host the guests.
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Noting that Sur Municipality had recently printed Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Gatil mi Meghr” [A drop of honey] in Armenian, Demirbaş said: “Tales for children, history for adults; we are giving back to what belongs to this land by looking after languages.”
Baydemir greeted visitors with carnations in his office immediately following the service and said he was conscious that they had been rather late in doing something for Armenians.
Meanwhile, Archbishop and Deputy Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said, “It is a start that Diyarbakır Armenians come and visit the land they have been born. We hope it [this trend] continues.”
Defined as the largest church in the Middle East by some experts, the historic Surp Giragos Church will host a more grandiose service in October. Along with the representatives of Armenian Apostolic Churches from all around the world, representatives of sister churches and leading names from the diaspora are expected to form part of the large congregation.
‘Telling the world about Anatolia’
Among the diaspora Armenian group of about 20 professors, historians and businesspeople that attended Saturday’s service was world-famous lute maestro, Armenian-American Udi Yervant, who is also known as Yervant Bostancı.
Born in Diyarbakır and visiting his hometown after a 19-year break, Bostancı said: “I have yearned for the land I was born in for years. I am not a diaspora Armenian: Not for one moment has my country left my soul and my heart. I live in Los Angeles but my songs tell of Anatolia to the world.
“I was never able to become a [true resident of] Istanbul, and I am not able to become an American. I have always lived in Diyarbakır and still live there. I wish people were able to live and die in the land where they were born,” he said.
In a special evening event organized by Baydemir for the diaspora Armenians, Bostancı took the stage and performed several songs in Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish.
Coming from Toronto, former Istanbul resident Raffi Bedrosyan said some difficulties occurred while collecting donations from diaspora Armenians for the church’s restoration.
“They did not want to donate money for the restoration of this church because they thought it prioritized Turkish and Kurdish interests. The diaspora is still living the trauma of 1915,” he said.
Last Armenian in Diyarbakır
The last Armenian to have lived in Diyarbakır, 81-year old Sarkis Bedrosyan, said it was a special feeling to see Surp Giragos with his own eyes once more.
Expressing his happiness that the mayor was able to host them, he said: “The mayor talked about a truth that was forgotten in this city. The Armenian past was mentioned; that was extremely important.”
The Istanbul Armenian businessman who started the church’s restoration process, Diyarbakır-born Ergün Ayık said he was happy but added that he wished there had been more support for the church.
The total cost of the restoration is around $2.5 million; once the church is open for services its annex buildings will host several culture and arts projects.
A small church service in Diyarbakır signals bigger reconciliation
Sunday, June 19, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
DİYARBAKIR - Hürriyet Daily News
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Hearkening back to Diyarbakır’s cosmopolitan past, diaspora Armenians and clergy held a small service in a local church Saturday in what many hope is a harbinger for a more multicultural future in the southeastern city.
“The sounds of the call to prayer and church bells will mix here on this land from now on,” Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir said following the service at the restored Surp Giragos Church. “There were major sorrows experienced in the past. We [condemn] the heartlessness of those days in our hearts and we want a new start.”
“Diyarbakır was a multicultural city in the past but we lost a lot with the ‘monist’ policy with the [Turkish] Republic. To be able to resurrect social peace, lessons should be learned from the past and history needs to be encountered. Kurds want to live together with and embrace those populations that [hegemonic actors] set at loggerheads with each other,” Diyarbakır Sur Mayor Abdullah Demirbaş told the Hürriyet Daily News, adding that he was very pleased to be able to host the guests.
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Noting that Sur Municipality had recently printed Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Gatil mi Meghr” [A drop of honey] in Armenian, Demirbaş said: “Tales for children, history for adults; we are giving back to what belongs to this land by looking after languages.”
Baydemir greeted visitors with carnations in his office immediately following the service and said he was conscious that they had been rather late in doing something for Armenians.
Meanwhile, Archbishop and Deputy Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said, “It is a start that Diyarbakır Armenians come and visit the land they have been born. We hope it [this trend] continues.”
Defined as the largest church in the Middle East by some experts, the historic Surp Giragos Church will host a more grandiose service in October. Along with the representatives of Armenian Apostolic Churches from all around the world, representatives of sister churches and leading names from the diaspora are expected to form part of the large congregation.
‘Telling the world about Anatolia’
Among the diaspora Armenian group of about 20 professors, historians and businesspeople that attended Saturday’s service was world-famous lute maestro, Armenian-American Udi Yervant, who is also known as Yervant Bostancı.
Born in Diyarbakır and visiting his hometown after a 19-year break, Bostancı said: “I have yearned for the land I was born in for years. I am not a diaspora Armenian: Not for one moment has my country left my soul and my heart. I live in Los Angeles but my songs tell of Anatolia to the world.
“I was never able to become a [true resident of] Istanbul, and I am not able to become an American. I have always lived in Diyarbakır and still live there. I wish people were able to live and die in the land where they were born,” he said.
In a special evening event organized by Baydemir for the diaspora Armenians, Bostancı took the stage and performed several songs in Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish.
Coming from Toronto, former Istanbul resident Raffi Bedrosyan said some difficulties occurred while collecting donations from diaspora Armenians for the church’s restoration.
“They did not want to donate money for the restoration of this church because they thought it prioritized Turkish and Kurdish interests. The diaspora is still living the trauma of 1915,” he said.
Last Armenian in Diyarbakır
The last Armenian to have lived in Diyarbakır, 81-year old Sarkis Bedrosyan, said it was a special feeling to see Surp Giragos with his own eyes once more.
Expressing his happiness that the mayor was able to host them, he said: “The mayor talked about a truth that was forgotten in this city. The Armenian past was mentioned; that was extremely important.”
The Istanbul Armenian businessman who started the church’s restoration process, Diyarbakır-born Ergün Ayık said he was happy but added that he wished there had been more support for the church.
The total cost of the restoration is around $2.5 million; once the church is open for services its annex buildings will host several culture and arts projects.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
DİYARBAKIR - Hürriyet Daily News
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Hearkening back to Diyarbakır’s cosmopolitan past, diaspora Armenians and clergy held a small service in a local church Saturday in what many hope is a harbinger for a more multicultural future in the southeastern city.
“The sounds of the call to prayer and church bells will mix here on this land from now on,” Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir said following the service at the restored Surp Giragos Church. “There were major sorrows experienced in the past. We [condemn] the heartlessness of those days in our hearts and we want a new start.”
“Diyarbakır was a multicultural city in the past but we lost a lot with the ‘monist’ policy with the [Turkish] Republic. To be able to resurrect social peace, lessons should be learned from the past and history needs to be encountered. Kurds want to live together with and embrace those populations that [hegemonic actors] set at loggerheads with each other,” Diyarbakır Sur Mayor Abdullah Demirbaş told the Hürriyet Daily News, adding that he was very pleased to be able to host the guests.
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Noting that Sur Municipality had recently printed Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Gatil mi Meghr” [A drop of honey] in Armenian, Demirbaş said: “Tales for children, history for adults; we are giving back to what belongs to this land by looking after languages.”
Baydemir greeted visitors with carnations in his office immediately following the service and said he was conscious that they had been rather late in doing something for Armenians.
Meanwhile, Archbishop and Deputy Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said, “It is a start that Diyarbakır Armenians come and visit the land they have been born. We hope it [this trend] continues.”
Defined as the largest church in the Middle East by some experts, the historic Surp Giragos Church will host a more grandiose service in October. Along with the representatives of Armenian Apostolic Churches from all around the world, representatives of sister churches and leading names from the diaspora are expected to form part of the large congregation.
‘Telling the world about Anatolia’
Among the diaspora Armenian group of about 20 professors, historians and businesspeople that attended Saturday’s service was world-famous lute maestro, Armenian-American Udi Yervant, who is also known as Yervant Bostancı.
Born in Diyarbakır and visiting his hometown after a 19-year break, Bostancı said: “I have yearned for the land I was born in for years. I am not a diaspora Armenian: Not for one moment has my country left my soul and my heart. I live in Los Angeles but my songs tell of Anatolia to the world.
“I was never able to become a [true resident of] Istanbul, and I am not able to become an American. I have always lived in Diyarbakır and still live there. I wish people were able to live and die in the land where they were born,” he said.
In a special evening event organized by Baydemir for the diaspora Armenians, Bostancı took the stage and performed several songs in Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish.
Coming from Toronto, former Istanbul resident Raffi Bedrosyan said some difficulties occurred while collecting donations from diaspora Armenians for the church’s restoration.
“They did not want to donate money for the restoration of this church because they thought it prioritized Turkish and Kurdish interests. The diaspora is still living the trauma of 1915,” he said.
Last Armenian in Diyarbakır
The last Armenian to have lived in Diyarbakır, 81-year old Sarkis Bedrosyan, said it was a special feeling to see Surp Giragos with his own eyes once more.
Expressing his happiness that the mayor was able to host them, he said: “The mayor talked about a truth that was forgotten in this city. The Armenian past was mentioned; that was extremely important.”
The Istanbul Armenian businessman who started the church’s restoration process, Diyarbakır-born Ergün Ayık said he was happy but added that he wished there had been more support for the church.
The total cost of the restoration is around $2.5 million; once the church is open for services its annex buildings will host several culture and arts projects.
21 Haziran 2011 Salı
A small church service in Diyarbakır signals bigger reconciliation
Sunday, June 19, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
DİYARBAKIR - Hürriyet Daily News
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Hearkening back to Diyarbakır’s cosmopolitan past, diaspora Armenians and clergy held a small service in a local church Saturday in what many hope is a harbinger for a more multicultural future in the southeastern city.
“The sounds of the call to prayer and church bells will mix here on this land from now on,” Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir said following the service at the restored Surp Giragos Church. “There were major sorrows experienced in the past. We [condemn] the heartlessness of those days in our hearts and we want a new start.”
“Diyarbakır was a multicultural city in the past but we lost a lot with the ‘monist’ policy with the [Turkish] Republic. To be able to resurrect social peace, lessons should be learned from the past and history needs to be encountered. Kurds want to live together with and embrace those populations that [hegemonic actors] set at loggerheads with each other,” Diyarbakır Sur Mayor Abdullah Demirbaş told the Hürriyet Daily News, adding that he was very pleased to be able to host the guests.
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Noting that Sur Municipality had recently printed Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Gatil mi Meghr” [A drop of honey] in Armenian, Demirbaş said: “Tales for children, history for adults; we are giving back to what belongs to this land by looking after languages.”
Baydemir greeted visitors with carnations in his office immediately following the service and said he was conscious that they had been rather late in doing something for Armenians.
Meanwhile, Archbishop and Deputy Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said, “It is a start that Diyarbakır Armenians come and visit the land they have been born. We hope it [this trend] continues.”
Defined as the largest church in the Middle East by some experts, the historic Surp Giragos Church will host a more grandiose service in October. Along with the representatives of Armenian Apostolic Churches from all around the world, representatives of sister churches and leading names from the diaspora are expected to form part of the large congregation.
‘Telling the world about Anatolia’
Among the diaspora Armenian group of about 20 professors, historians and businesspeople that attended Saturday’s service was world-famous lute maestro, Armenian-American Udi Yervant, who is also known as Yervant Bostancı.
Born in Diyarbakır and visiting his hometown after a 19-year break, Bostancı said: “I have yearned for the land I was born in for years. I am not a diaspora Armenian: Not for one moment has my country left my soul and my heart. I live in Los Angeles but my songs tell of Anatolia to the world.
“I was never able to become a [true resident of] Istanbul, and I am not able to become an American. I have always lived in Diyarbakır and still live there. I wish people were able to live and die in the land where they were born,” he said.
In a special evening event organized by Baydemir for the diaspora Armenians, Bostancı took the stage and performed several songs in Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish.
Coming from Toronto, former Istanbul resident Raffi Bedrosyan said some difficulties occurred while collecting donations from diaspora Armenians for the church’s restoration.
“They did not want to donate money for the restoration of this church because they thought it prioritized Turkish and Kurdish interests. The diaspora is still living the trauma of 1915,” he said.
Last Armenian in Diyarbakır
The last Armenian to have lived in Diyarbakır, 81-year old Sarkis Bedrosyan, said it was a special feeling to see Surp Giragos with his own eyes once more.
Expressing his happiness that the mayor was able to host them, he said: “The mayor talked about a truth that was forgotten in this city. The Armenian past was mentioned; that was extremely important.”
The Istanbul Armenian businessman who started the church’s restoration process, Diyarbakır-born Ergün Ayık said he was happy but added that he wished there had been more support for the church.
The total cost of the restoration is around $2.5 million; once the church is open for services its annex buildings will host several culture and arts projects.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
DİYARBAKIR - Hürriyet Daily News
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Hearkening back to Diyarbakır’s cosmopolitan past, diaspora Armenians and clergy held a small service in a local church Saturday in what many hope is a harbinger for a more multicultural future in the southeastern city.
“The sounds of the call to prayer and church bells will mix here on this land from now on,” Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir said following the service at the restored Surp Giragos Church. “There were major sorrows experienced in the past. We [condemn] the heartlessness of those days in our hearts and we want a new start.”
“Diyarbakır was a multicultural city in the past but we lost a lot with the ‘monist’ policy with the [Turkish] Republic. To be able to resurrect social peace, lessons should be learned from the past and history needs to be encountered. Kurds want to live together with and embrace those populations that [hegemonic actors] set at loggerheads with each other,” Diyarbakır Sur Mayor Abdullah Demirbaş told the Hürriyet Daily News, adding that he was very pleased to be able to host the guests.
Surp Giragos’ restoration was widely supported by Istanbul Armenians, although the Turkish Culture Ministry, Diyarbakır’s Sur Municipality and diaspora Armenians also contributed to refurbishing the church.
Noting that Sur Municipality had recently printed Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Gatil mi Meghr” [A drop of honey] in Armenian, Demirbaş said: “Tales for children, history for adults; we are giving back to what belongs to this land by looking after languages.”
Baydemir greeted visitors with carnations in his office immediately following the service and said he was conscious that they had been rather late in doing something for Armenians.
Meanwhile, Archbishop and Deputy Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said, “It is a start that Diyarbakır Armenians come and visit the land they have been born. We hope it [this trend] continues.”
Defined as the largest church in the Middle East by some experts, the historic Surp Giragos Church will host a more grandiose service in October. Along with the representatives of Armenian Apostolic Churches from all around the world, representatives of sister churches and leading names from the diaspora are expected to form part of the large congregation.
‘Telling the world about Anatolia’
Among the diaspora Armenian group of about 20 professors, historians and businesspeople that attended Saturday’s service was world-famous lute maestro, Armenian-American Udi Yervant, who is also known as Yervant Bostancı.
Born in Diyarbakır and visiting his hometown after a 19-year break, Bostancı said: “I have yearned for the land I was born in for years. I am not a diaspora Armenian: Not for one moment has my country left my soul and my heart. I live in Los Angeles but my songs tell of Anatolia to the world.
“I was never able to become a [true resident of] Istanbul, and I am not able to become an American. I have always lived in Diyarbakır and still live there. I wish people were able to live and die in the land where they were born,” he said.
In a special evening event organized by Baydemir for the diaspora Armenians, Bostancı took the stage and performed several songs in Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish.
Coming from Toronto, former Istanbul resident Raffi Bedrosyan said some difficulties occurred while collecting donations from diaspora Armenians for the church’s restoration.
“They did not want to donate money for the restoration of this church because they thought it prioritized Turkish and Kurdish interests. The diaspora is still living the trauma of 1915,” he said.
Last Armenian in Diyarbakır
The last Armenian to have lived in Diyarbakır, 81-year old Sarkis Bedrosyan, said it was a special feeling to see Surp Giragos with his own eyes once more.
Expressing his happiness that the mayor was able to host them, he said: “The mayor talked about a truth that was forgotten in this city. The Armenian past was mentioned; that was extremely important.”
The Istanbul Armenian businessman who started the church’s restoration process, Diyarbakır-born Ergün Ayık said he was happy but added that he wished there had been more support for the church.
The total cost of the restoration is around $2.5 million; once the church is open for services its annex buildings will host several culture and arts projects.
15 Haziran 2011 Çarşamba
Turkish companies to organize package tours to Armenia
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
A joint enterprise between two Turkish-based tourism companies is planning to organize special package tours from Turkey to Armenia in August, even though the two countries’ borders have remained closed since 1993.
The lack of recognition between the two peoples has resulted in reservations about traveling to each other’s countries for both Armenians and Turks, according to one company owner.
“Turkish tourists had been traveling to Armenia through Georgia until a couple of years ago, but now the situation has changed,” Dikran Altun, the owner of Tower Turizm, recently told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Altun’s Tower Turizm will be partnering with Tüten Turizm to launch the package tours to Armenia, which are made possible by the regular scheduled flights between the two companies.
Altun has managed to sustain continued flights between Turkey and Armenia with a plane he procured from Atlas Jet, a private airliner, in the aftermath of the Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the beginning of the 1990s.
“We struggled desperately to prevent the flights from being cancelled. Otherwise, all contact [between Turkey and Armenia] would have been cut off. Small problems did arise, but in the end, we were able to maintain the flights by obtaining permission from the Foreign Ministry. It is for this reason we can now implement these package tours,” Altun said.
‘Is it safe?’
“Unfortunately our people do not know each other – hence their hesitation to travel,” Altun said, adding that Turkish and Armenian tourists set to visit each others’ countries for the first time always ask whether it is safe to travel.
Fifteen people have already made reservations for the tour, according to Harutyan Demir, one of Tüten Turizm’s co-owners.
“I was not expecting a large burst of demand anyway; interest will grow bit by bit,” Demir told the Daily News.
Aside from Istanbul Armenians, the company has also sent some Turkish tourists to Yerevan in the past two years, though they were few in number, according to Demir. This year’s all-inclusive package trip will cost between 960 and 1,200 euros.
Passengers predominantly fly from Armenia to Turkey, but increasing numbers of businesspeople, journalists and intellectuals have also been taking the flight from Turkey to Armenia every year, he said. Two flights operate between Istanbul and Yerevan each week, while there are also weekly flights between Yerevan and the Mediterranean Turkish cities of Antalya and Bodrum during the summer season.
“My greatest desire is to see the re-establishment of relations and dialogue between the two countries. It is of great significance for me to see Turkish Airlines starting flights to Yerevan,” Altun said.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
A joint enterprise between two Turkish-based tourism companies is planning to organize special package tours from Turkey to Armenia in August, even though the two countries’ borders have remained closed since 1993.
The lack of recognition between the two peoples has resulted in reservations about traveling to each other’s countries for both Armenians and Turks, according to one company owner.
“Turkish tourists had been traveling to Armenia through Georgia until a couple of years ago, but now the situation has changed,” Dikran Altun, the owner of Tower Turizm, recently told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Altun’s Tower Turizm will be partnering with Tüten Turizm to launch the package tours to Armenia, which are made possible by the regular scheduled flights between the two companies.
Altun has managed to sustain continued flights between Turkey and Armenia with a plane he procured from Atlas Jet, a private airliner, in the aftermath of the Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the beginning of the 1990s.
“We struggled desperately to prevent the flights from being cancelled. Otherwise, all contact [between Turkey and Armenia] would have been cut off. Small problems did arise, but in the end, we were able to maintain the flights by obtaining permission from the Foreign Ministry. It is for this reason we can now implement these package tours,” Altun said.
‘Is it safe?’
“Unfortunately our people do not know each other – hence their hesitation to travel,” Altun said, adding that Turkish and Armenian tourists set to visit each others’ countries for the first time always ask whether it is safe to travel.
Fifteen people have already made reservations for the tour, according to Harutyan Demir, one of Tüten Turizm’s co-owners.
“I was not expecting a large burst of demand anyway; interest will grow bit by bit,” Demir told the Daily News.
Aside from Istanbul Armenians, the company has also sent some Turkish tourists to Yerevan in the past two years, though they were few in number, according to Demir. This year’s all-inclusive package trip will cost between 960 and 1,200 euros.
Passengers predominantly fly from Armenia to Turkey, but increasing numbers of businesspeople, journalists and intellectuals have also been taking the flight from Turkey to Armenia every year, he said. Two flights operate between Istanbul and Yerevan each week, while there are also weekly flights between Yerevan and the Mediterranean Turkish cities of Antalya and Bodrum during the summer season.
“My greatest desire is to see the re-establishment of relations and dialogue between the two countries. It is of great significance for me to see Turkish Airlines starting flights to Yerevan,” Altun said.
14 Haziran 2011 Salı
Syriacs send their first deputy to Parliament
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Vercihan Ziflioğlu
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
Erol Dora, the first Syriac Christian to enter Parliament in the history of the republic, will carry the expectations of his community on his shoulders. Prominent members of the community hail the success of Dora.
Erol Dora promised to become the voice of the Syriac community, as well as all other ethnicities in the southeastern region. Daily News photo
A Syriac Christian has entered Parliament for the first time in the history of the Turkish Republic following Sunday’s general elections.
Many community members hope Erol Dora, an independent deputy who ran from the southeastern province of Mardin with the backing of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, will give a voice to one of Turkey’s least-recognized minorities.
“The Syriac community will be transformed into a more active and dynamic structure, rather than [remaining] an inward-looking community. In short, [the Syriac community] will break out of its own shell,” Şabo Boyacı, a prominent figure in Turkey’s Syriac community, told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Dora’s election to Parliament is highly significant not only for Syriacs but for all minorities in Turkey, Boyacı said, adding that Dora’s success will have a positive effect on the Syriac community. “Minorities’ problems have been ignored for years. The public will now gain awareness of minority issues from the Parliament’s benches,” Boyacı said, calling Dora’s election “an important step in the direction of fraternity, democracy and freedom.”
Dora demonstrated his courage by running with the pro-Kurdish party’s backing, said Turgut Alaca, the president of the Mesopotamia Culture Association, which counts the new deputy as one of its founders. The BDP is a party that entered Parliament through the will of the people, even though the prime minister portrayed it as a “terrorist party,” he added.
“It is said in the Constitution that all citizens of the Turkish Republic are equal. We, on the other hand, cannot even benefit from our citizenship rights, let alone those rights that were granted to us by the Lausanne [Treaty.] Christian minorities can find no work in public institutions,” Alaca said, adding that the Turkish public will become more aware of Syriac Christians’ problems thanks to Dora’s election.
“If I manage to enter Parliament, I will become the voice of the Syriac community, as well as all other ethnicities in the southeast,” Dora told the Daily News before the election.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Vercihan Ziflioğlu
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
Erol Dora, the first Syriac Christian to enter Parliament in the history of the republic, will carry the expectations of his community on his shoulders. Prominent members of the community hail the success of Dora.
Erol Dora promised to become the voice of the Syriac community, as well as all other ethnicities in the southeastern region. Daily News photo
A Syriac Christian has entered Parliament for the first time in the history of the Turkish Republic following Sunday’s general elections.
Many community members hope Erol Dora, an independent deputy who ran from the southeastern province of Mardin with the backing of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, will give a voice to one of Turkey’s least-recognized minorities.
“The Syriac community will be transformed into a more active and dynamic structure, rather than [remaining] an inward-looking community. In short, [the Syriac community] will break out of its own shell,” Şabo Boyacı, a prominent figure in Turkey’s Syriac community, told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Dora’s election to Parliament is highly significant not only for Syriacs but for all minorities in Turkey, Boyacı said, adding that Dora’s success will have a positive effect on the Syriac community. “Minorities’ problems have been ignored for years. The public will now gain awareness of minority issues from the Parliament’s benches,” Boyacı said, calling Dora’s election “an important step in the direction of fraternity, democracy and freedom.”
Dora demonstrated his courage by running with the pro-Kurdish party’s backing, said Turgut Alaca, the president of the Mesopotamia Culture Association, which counts the new deputy as one of its founders. The BDP is a party that entered Parliament through the will of the people, even though the prime minister portrayed it as a “terrorist party,” he added.
“It is said in the Constitution that all citizens of the Turkish Republic are equal. We, on the other hand, cannot even benefit from our citizenship rights, let alone those rights that were granted to us by the Lausanne [Treaty.] Christian minorities can find no work in public institutions,” Alaca said, adding that the Turkish public will become more aware of Syriac Christians’ problems thanks to Dora’s election.
“If I manage to enter Parliament, I will become the voice of the Syriac community, as well as all other ethnicities in the southeast,” Dora told the Daily News before the election.
12 Haziran 2011 Pazar
Armenian foundation retrieves former property in Istanbul
Saturday, June 11, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
The Foundations Directorate General has turned over the property rights of a historical building in Istanbul’s Topkapı neighborhood back to the Surp Nigoğoyos Armenian Church Foundation.
The church foundation’s president expressed his satisfaction with the move, but many other buildings in Topkapı were yet to be reclaimed, according to the administration.
“I believe the laws passed by the Justice and Development Party [AKP, in 2008] concerning foundations are extremely useful. [But] I do not want to talk about either politics or anything else about the AKP,” Monik Ergan, the church foundation’s president, told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Another historical building, the Selamet Inn in Karaköy in Beyoğlu, was also handed back to the Surp Pırgiç Armenian Hospital Foundation earlier in 2011 following a legal battle that lasted several years.
Unlike the Selamet Inn, however, the return of the building in Topkapı was accomplished without any legal hassle after the church foundation simply filed an appeal to the directorate general.
“Even the reclaimed buildings will not be sufficient to [help with the financial] upkeep of the school and the church,” said Murat Çakan, the church foundation’s second president.
The foundation is in desperate financial straits, Çakan said, adding that many documents listing foundation property had been found in the church archives.
The foundation in Topkapı, a 195-year-old institution, operates the Levon Vartuhan Primary School in addition to the church, Ergan said.
Patriarch Mesrop II and other leading figures in the Armenian community had decided to close the school down, following an appeal by the foundation’s former administration, but this decision was later overturned, said the church president.
Turkey’s Greek community decided last month to close down the Iokimian School in the district of Fener, the Tatavla Boys’ School in Sefa Square in the district of Şişli as well as the Private Arnavutköy Coed Greek School, which was founded in 1902. The historical schools will be transformed into cultural centers to provide new income for the community.
“The Greek community may have shut their schools down, but we are a community 60,000 strong,” Ergan said, reiterating his opposition to closing their schools.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
The Foundations Directorate General has turned over the property rights of a historical building in Istanbul’s Topkapı neighborhood back to the Surp Nigoğoyos Armenian Church Foundation.
The church foundation’s president expressed his satisfaction with the move, but many other buildings in Topkapı were yet to be reclaimed, according to the administration.
“I believe the laws passed by the Justice and Development Party [AKP, in 2008] concerning foundations are extremely useful. [But] I do not want to talk about either politics or anything else about the AKP,” Monik Ergan, the church foundation’s president, told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Another historical building, the Selamet Inn in Karaköy in Beyoğlu, was also handed back to the Surp Pırgiç Armenian Hospital Foundation earlier in 2011 following a legal battle that lasted several years.
Unlike the Selamet Inn, however, the return of the building in Topkapı was accomplished without any legal hassle after the church foundation simply filed an appeal to the directorate general.
“Even the reclaimed buildings will not be sufficient to [help with the financial] upkeep of the school and the church,” said Murat Çakan, the church foundation’s second president.
The foundation is in desperate financial straits, Çakan said, adding that many documents listing foundation property had been found in the church archives.
The foundation in Topkapı, a 195-year-old institution, operates the Levon Vartuhan Primary School in addition to the church, Ergan said.
Patriarch Mesrop II and other leading figures in the Armenian community had decided to close the school down, following an appeal by the foundation’s former administration, but this decision was later overturned, said the church president.
Turkey’s Greek community decided last month to close down the Iokimian School in the district of Fener, the Tatavla Boys’ School in Sefa Square in the district of Şişli as well as the Private Arnavutköy Coed Greek School, which was founded in 1902. The historical schools will be transformed into cultural centers to provide new income for the community.
“The Greek community may have shut their schools down, but we are a community 60,000 strong,” Ergan said, reiterating his opposition to closing their schools.
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