US Federal Reserve Bank facing charges from diaspora Armenians
Sunday, March 20, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Jewelry and gold confiscated from Armenian houses during the turmoil in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 was taken to Istanbul and melted into gold coins before being deposited in a German Bank, says attorney Vartkes Yeghiayan, who has recently filed a case against the Federal Reserve Bank. After the World War I, the gold was sold and transported to the Federal Reserve Bank, he says
This file photo shows the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, one of 12 Federal Reserve banks across the US. The bank is accused of illegally buying gold made from the jewelry of Ottoman Armenians.
An Armenian-American attorney has filed a lawsuit against the U.S Federal Reserve to demand the disclosure of information pertaining to Armenian assets that were allegedly confiscated by the Ottomans during the 1915 events.
“The lawsuit against the Federal Reserve is in order to determine the legitimate ownership of this gold, Vartkes Yeghiayan, the attorney who filed the suit, told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review in a recent interview.
Prior to 1915, the jewelry and gold confiscated from the Armenian houses were taken to Istanbul and melted into gold coins, Yeghiayan said.
"German banks took these coins and deposited them in the Reichsbank. When Germany and Turkey lost [World War I], the Allies confiscated this loot as 'war reparations' against Turkey,” he said.
“The money was deposited in the bank of England and Banque de France. As the directors of the banks realized that this particular deposit did not bare interests, they decided to purchase U.S. treasury bonds which, in turn, did bear interest. The gold was then sold and transported to the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City,” he said.
Unfulfilled policies
Meanwhile, the Armenian-American Center for Armenian Remembrance, or CAR, recently opened a case against several insurance companies that sold various policies to Armenians in the early 20th century but allegedly did not fulfill their liabilities after the events of the 1915.
“The policies included life insurance, along with air, land and sea travel and cargo policies,” Yeghiayan said.
As there were only 50 automobiles in the Ottoman Empire at that time, and even fewer airplanes, the transportation sectors were not significant but the life policies were crucial, he said.
Of all the lawsuits against insurance companies, the most sensational results was yielded by the 2006 AXA case, in which the global insurance giant was obliged to pay millions of dollars in damages.
After the verdict, Turkish insurance company OYAK annulled the partnership it had entered with AXA in the Turkish market.
The lawsuit turned the U.S.-based Armenian attorney Yeghiayan into a celebrity, while the news hit headlines in the Turkish media.
He said there were 100 companies from Europe and three from United States that had done business throughout the Ottoman Empire.
“The New York Life Insurance Company from New York was one of the biggest global corporations selling insurance to mostly Armenians, Greeks and Syriacs through 41 brokerage offices in the Ottoman Empire,” he said.
After conducting some historical research, Yeghiayan said he discovered that the rightful claims with respect to life insurance had not been paid.
"I filed a class-action lawsuit in the Federal Court of California,” Yeghiayan said, adding that following a long series of negotiations, New York Life admitted that the insurance policies issued to Armenians in the Ottoman Empire had not been paid. “New York Life Insurance Company agreed to settle all valid claims relating to these policies, in addition to contributing $3 million to various Armenian charity organizations.”
The total settlement was for $20 million, he said, “Moreover, New York Life agreed to settle an additional $15 million for 1,000 policies that were issued to Greek nationals."
Ottoman descendents eligible for insurance payouts
Members of the Ottoman dynasty could press charges against insurance companies for the non-payment of policies taken out by their grandfathers for themselves and their policies, according to a U.S. attorney who has filed similar cases in the past.
“The law applies equally for all people regardless of nationality or religion,” Vartkes Yeghaiyan recently told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
Orhan Osmanoğlu, the fourth-generation grandson of Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II, told the Daily News that they were continuing their research about these policies and added that he had heard about similar endeavors by Zeynep Tarzi Osmanoğlu, wife of Osman Ertuğrul Osmanoğlu, who lived and died in the U.S.
“[But] it is too early to talk about these, as we do not have any policies at hand,” Osmanoğlu said.
"So far only people of Armenian, Greek and Syriac origins have contacted me,” said Yeghaiyan, but added that others groups were also eligible to apply.
21 Mart 2011 Pazartesi
18 Mart 2011 Cuma
Turkish student travels the Caucasus, lands in Armenia
Thursday, March 17, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Mehmet Fatih Öztarsu in Armenia's Capital Yerevan, where he writes for a newspaper and is learning the 'East Armenian' dialect of Armenian.
Turkish student Mehmet Fatih Öztarsu, who calls himself an idealist, set out directly for the Caucasus. His first stop was the Azerbaijani capital of Baku. Having characterized Azerbaijan as a “kindred country,” he studied international relations at Baku’s Caucasus University. After his education, while pursuing his research in Georgia, he decided to cross over to the other side of the border, passing into Armenia.
A few months ago, after moving to Yerevan, Öztarsu, while taking private courses in “East Armenian” from a teacher at Yerevan’s State University, started writing articles for a newspaper called “Aravod” (Armenian for morning). East Armenian is a term used for the dialect of Armenian spoken in Armenia and Iran today. It differs from the dialect of Armenian used primarily by Armenians in Istanbul and diaspora members in France, the United States and around the world. It is generally referred to as “West Armenian.”
On of the events of 1915 and the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Öztarsu’s opinions differ from the general consensus in Armenia; still, he thinks nobody will benefit from the closed Turkish-Armenia border.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of its close ally Azerbaijan in a conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. A flashpoint of Caucasus, Nagorno-Karabakh is a constituent part of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia since the end of 1994, after a war between the two countries.
Learning Eastern Armenian
Öztarsu recently commented on his experiences living abroad in Azerbaijan and Armenia in an e-mail exchange with the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
Asked how a Turkish international relations student arrived at the decision to go to Armenia after studying in Baku, Öztarsu said it is important for Turks to learn about Armenia and its language.
“The Armenian language is an important issue for Turkey. Without diplomats, journalists or researchers who know this language, it is not possible for Turkey to understand Armenia or its political genesis,” Öztarsu told the Daily News. “With regards to my approach, I received support from both my acquaintances in Ankara and Baku. In addition, Armenian youths are also learning Turkish.”
When Öztarsu first went to Armenia he was worried that he might encounter problems as a Turk on his first visit to Armenia, but he said he was very well greeted.
Asked why he would learn the East Armenian dialect that is spoken in Armenia and Iran, rather than the West Armenian dialect spoken in Istanbul and among the diaspora, Öztarsu noted that, as a Caucasus scholar, it is important for him to connect directly with Armenians living in Armenia.
“If I had learned West Armenian in France or the U.S., I would have had trouble establishing a dialogue with Armenian people. Experts on diaspora Armenians who moved to Yerevan could only speak West Armenian and therefore they had to write in English. I, as a Caucasus expert, primarily want to understand Armenia,” said Öztarsu.
West Armenian is the name given to Modern Armenian spoken in Istanbul in the 20th century. Today, the language is taught at schools and spoken by all Turkish Armenians. East Armenian, on the other hand, is spoken in Armenia and by Iranian Armenians. Despite differences between the two Armenian dialects, many consider the two to be mutually intelligible. Provided that someone knows about the differences between these two dialects, one would not be impeded in establishing dialogue.
“Turkey cannot remain indifferent”
“Nationalists in Armenia believe that Turkey woke up one morning and destroyed all the Armenians. Actually there are few people who know what happened in 1915. There is no one who knows what happened prior and what happened after,” said Öztarsu. “We are trying to overcome this; we say that this issue is not an every day issue. The fundamental reasons are Russia and Britain.”
Asked who has so far benefited from Armenia’s foreign policy to pressure Turkey and build up the Karabakh issue, Öztarsu suggested that no country, with the exception of Iran, was benefiting from the status quo.
“Iran is benefiting from the borders remaining closed. They have set up a powerful trade network in the region. They have even laid claim to the Turkish mosque in Yerevan.”
Öztarsu also offered his opinions on the Karabakh issue.
“Karabakh was occupied by Armenia. We must not interpret the revolt of an autonomous region and Armenia’s maneuver to turn it to its advantage, as a simple ‘fight for territory.’ There are other regions occupied in Azerbaijan. Almost 1 million Azeris are in exile. While these people have to endure these heavy conditions, Turkey can’t remain indifferent.”
Criticism for OSCE
To solve the OSCE’s Minsk Group’s problem, Öztarsu suggested bringing the sides together.
“The Minsk Group, at a number of unknown gatherings are preventing Turkey’s affairs from being included,” Öztarsu said.
The Minsk Group was set up in 1992 to find a political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict involving Armenia and Azerbaijan. The group, co-chaired by France, the Russian Federation and the United States, has frequently come under attack as being overly biased regarding the dispute.
“Armenia must adopt a realistic approach on the Karabakh issue. However, solving the Karabakh problem is not only in Armenia’s hands.”
In 2008, Turkish President Abdullah Gül went to the Armenian capital of Yerevan to watch the Turkish and Armenian national football teams play each other. The move, nicknamed “football diplomacy,” intended to put the past to rest in bilateral relations and accelerate a dialogue process.
Following that, protocols aimed at normalization of relations were signed but could not be carried out.
“We have to solve our problems without anyone else intervening. Using the 1915 lobbying process as a tool is not useful; it is necessary to set up a dialogue between Ankara and Yerevan,” said Öztarsu.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Mehmet Fatih Öztarsu in Armenia's Capital Yerevan, where he writes for a newspaper and is learning the 'East Armenian' dialect of Armenian.
Turkish student Mehmet Fatih Öztarsu, who calls himself an idealist, set out directly for the Caucasus. His first stop was the Azerbaijani capital of Baku. Having characterized Azerbaijan as a “kindred country,” he studied international relations at Baku’s Caucasus University. After his education, while pursuing his research in Georgia, he decided to cross over to the other side of the border, passing into Armenia.
A few months ago, after moving to Yerevan, Öztarsu, while taking private courses in “East Armenian” from a teacher at Yerevan’s State University, started writing articles for a newspaper called “Aravod” (Armenian for morning). East Armenian is a term used for the dialect of Armenian spoken in Armenia and Iran today. It differs from the dialect of Armenian used primarily by Armenians in Istanbul and diaspora members in France, the United States and around the world. It is generally referred to as “West Armenian.”
On of the events of 1915 and the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Öztarsu’s opinions differ from the general consensus in Armenia; still, he thinks nobody will benefit from the closed Turkish-Armenia border.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of its close ally Azerbaijan in a conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. A flashpoint of Caucasus, Nagorno-Karabakh is a constituent part of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia since the end of 1994, after a war between the two countries.
Learning Eastern Armenian
Öztarsu recently commented on his experiences living abroad in Azerbaijan and Armenia in an e-mail exchange with the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
Asked how a Turkish international relations student arrived at the decision to go to Armenia after studying in Baku, Öztarsu said it is important for Turks to learn about Armenia and its language.
“The Armenian language is an important issue for Turkey. Without diplomats, journalists or researchers who know this language, it is not possible for Turkey to understand Armenia or its political genesis,” Öztarsu told the Daily News. “With regards to my approach, I received support from both my acquaintances in Ankara and Baku. In addition, Armenian youths are also learning Turkish.”
When Öztarsu first went to Armenia he was worried that he might encounter problems as a Turk on his first visit to Armenia, but he said he was very well greeted.
Asked why he would learn the East Armenian dialect that is spoken in Armenia and Iran, rather than the West Armenian dialect spoken in Istanbul and among the diaspora, Öztarsu noted that, as a Caucasus scholar, it is important for him to connect directly with Armenians living in Armenia.
“If I had learned West Armenian in France or the U.S., I would have had trouble establishing a dialogue with Armenian people. Experts on diaspora Armenians who moved to Yerevan could only speak West Armenian and therefore they had to write in English. I, as a Caucasus expert, primarily want to understand Armenia,” said Öztarsu.
West Armenian is the name given to Modern Armenian spoken in Istanbul in the 20th century. Today, the language is taught at schools and spoken by all Turkish Armenians. East Armenian, on the other hand, is spoken in Armenia and by Iranian Armenians. Despite differences between the two Armenian dialects, many consider the two to be mutually intelligible. Provided that someone knows about the differences between these two dialects, one would not be impeded in establishing dialogue.
“Turkey cannot remain indifferent”
“Nationalists in Armenia believe that Turkey woke up one morning and destroyed all the Armenians. Actually there are few people who know what happened in 1915. There is no one who knows what happened prior and what happened after,” said Öztarsu. “We are trying to overcome this; we say that this issue is not an every day issue. The fundamental reasons are Russia and Britain.”
Asked who has so far benefited from Armenia’s foreign policy to pressure Turkey and build up the Karabakh issue, Öztarsu suggested that no country, with the exception of Iran, was benefiting from the status quo.
“Iran is benefiting from the borders remaining closed. They have set up a powerful trade network in the region. They have even laid claim to the Turkish mosque in Yerevan.”
Öztarsu also offered his opinions on the Karabakh issue.
“Karabakh was occupied by Armenia. We must not interpret the revolt of an autonomous region and Armenia’s maneuver to turn it to its advantage, as a simple ‘fight for territory.’ There are other regions occupied in Azerbaijan. Almost 1 million Azeris are in exile. While these people have to endure these heavy conditions, Turkey can’t remain indifferent.”
Criticism for OSCE
To solve the OSCE’s Minsk Group’s problem, Öztarsu suggested bringing the sides together.
“The Minsk Group, at a number of unknown gatherings are preventing Turkey’s affairs from being included,” Öztarsu said.
The Minsk Group was set up in 1992 to find a political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict involving Armenia and Azerbaijan. The group, co-chaired by France, the Russian Federation and the United States, has frequently come under attack as being overly biased regarding the dispute.
“Armenia must adopt a realistic approach on the Karabakh issue. However, solving the Karabakh problem is not only in Armenia’s hands.”
In 2008, Turkish President Abdullah Gül went to the Armenian capital of Yerevan to watch the Turkish and Armenian national football teams play each other. The move, nicknamed “football diplomacy,” intended to put the past to rest in bilateral relations and accelerate a dialogue process.
Following that, protocols aimed at normalization of relations were signed but could not be carried out.
“We have to solve our problems without anyone else intervening. Using the 1915 lobbying process as a tool is not useful; it is necessary to set up a dialogue between Ankara and Yerevan,” said Öztarsu.
14 Mart 2011 Pazartesi
Turkish Armenians sue ministry, governor’s office for third time
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Lay members of Turkey’s Armenian community have opened a third case against the Interior Ministry and the Istanbul Governor’s Office over the decision not to permit an election for a new patriarch following the incapacitation of the current spiritual head.
The third case was recently filed by an individual whose name was not announced publicly and follows two others followed by the Armenian Initiating Committee against the ministry for preventing patriarchal elections in July 2010. The following one, filed again by the committee, was filed in August 2010 regarding the ministry’s letter which officially made Archbishop Aram Ateşyan the “acting patriarch.”
Sebuh Arslangil, a member of the committee and its lawyer, spoke to the Hürriyet Daily News and Economic Review at a meeting held by the “We Want to Elect our Patriarch Initiative” Friday and criticized the ministry’s decision.
“[Acting patriarch] is a position that does not have any place in the Armenian church’s traditions. In effect, we have here a meaningless position,” Arslangil said.
Arslangil said waiting for current Patriarch Mesrop II, who is unable to fulfill his duties due to dementia, to die before holding an election – in line with ministry dictates – was unethical even though patriarchs are elected for life, according to canon law.
“The patriarchs are elected for life, which means indefinitely, not until death,” he said, adding that there were traditional precautions to ensure that the seat does not sit empty.
The lawyer, however, said they had been prevented from putting those measures into practice.
Because of Patriarch Mesrop II inability to discharge his duties, the patriarchate’s clerical committee Armenian community first applied to the Interior Ministry to elect a co-patriarch. Later, the lay committee applied to the same body to elect a new patriarch.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Lay members of Turkey’s Armenian community have opened a third case against the Interior Ministry and the Istanbul Governor’s Office over the decision not to permit an election for a new patriarch following the incapacitation of the current spiritual head.
The third case was recently filed by an individual whose name was not announced publicly and follows two others followed by the Armenian Initiating Committee against the ministry for preventing patriarchal elections in July 2010. The following one, filed again by the committee, was filed in August 2010 regarding the ministry’s letter which officially made Archbishop Aram Ateşyan the “acting patriarch.”
Sebuh Arslangil, a member of the committee and its lawyer, spoke to the Hürriyet Daily News and Economic Review at a meeting held by the “We Want to Elect our Patriarch Initiative” Friday and criticized the ministry’s decision.
“[Acting patriarch] is a position that does not have any place in the Armenian church’s traditions. In effect, we have here a meaningless position,” Arslangil said.
Arslangil said waiting for current Patriarch Mesrop II, who is unable to fulfill his duties due to dementia, to die before holding an election – in line with ministry dictates – was unethical even though patriarchs are elected for life, according to canon law.
“The patriarchs are elected for life, which means indefinitely, not until death,” he said, adding that there were traditional precautions to ensure that the seat does not sit empty.
The lawyer, however, said they had been prevented from putting those measures into practice.
Because of Patriarch Mesrop II inability to discharge his duties, the patriarchate’s clerical committee Armenian community first applied to the Interior Ministry to elect a co-patriarch. Later, the lay committee applied to the same body to elect a new patriarch.
Ottoman-era Armenians added to list of slain Turkish journalists
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Vercihan Ziflioğlu
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
The Contemporary Journalists Association, or ÇGD, adds 10 journalists of Armenian origin killed in 1915 to its list of slain journalists in Turkey. The association will hold a ceremony April 24, the date when some countries commemorate the alleged Armenian genocide in Ottoman lands
These photos show 10 journalists of Armenian origin who were killed in waning days of the Ottoman Empire.
Ten journalists of Armenian origin who were killed in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire will be added to a list of slain journalists in Turkey by the Ankara-based Contemporary Journalists Association, or ÇGD. The association will hold a ceremony April 24, the date when some countries commemorate the alleged Armenian genocide in Ottoman lands.
The newly added names include Krikor Zohrab, a lawyer, author and three-time deputy in the Ottoman Parliament; Taniel Varujan, a renowned Armenian writer; Rupen Zartaryan, Siamento (Atom Yarjanian) and six others, all also pioneers of western Armenian literature.
Though the ÇGD was late in making the move, it did not have the necessary documents to add the journalists to the list before, association head Ahmet Abakay told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review. “We realized it when the list prepared by the Arrested Journalists Solidarity Platform reached us. Journalist Ali Bayramoğlu wrote on April 24 about the Armenian-origin journalists killed and we realized the list we had was incomplete. We expect assistance to add more names to it,” Abakay said.
The 76-name list of journalists killed in Turkey before and after the foundation of the Turkish Republic includes well-known figures such as Abdi İpekçi, Çetin Emeç and Uğur Mumcu, but previously contained only one Armenian name: Hrant Dink, a Turkish journalist of Armenian descent who was assassinated in Istanbul in 2007.
When asked whether the ÇGD is worried about the potential response to adding the Armenian journalists to the list, Abakay said: “I wish we had the information before and has taken this radical step before. We, the Turkish people, unfortunately do not know anything but what the official history has told us. The truth was hidden from us.”
Mistakes made in the past must be discussed if the country believes wholeheartedly in democracy, the ÇGD head said. “It is a crime to hide from the people those names that have made contributions to the Turkish press,” Abakay said. “They are all people of this country. They have been slain just like Abdi İpekçi, Uğur Mumcu and others.”
He added that the association seeks to add more names to the list and raise awareness about it.
Armenia claims up to 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed in 1915 under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey denies this, saying that any deaths were the result of civil strife that erupted when Armenians took up arms for independence in eastern Anatolia.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Vercihan Ziflioğlu
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
The Contemporary Journalists Association, or ÇGD, adds 10 journalists of Armenian origin killed in 1915 to its list of slain journalists in Turkey. The association will hold a ceremony April 24, the date when some countries commemorate the alleged Armenian genocide in Ottoman lands
These photos show 10 journalists of Armenian origin who were killed in waning days of the Ottoman Empire.
Ten journalists of Armenian origin who were killed in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire will be added to a list of slain journalists in Turkey by the Ankara-based Contemporary Journalists Association, or ÇGD. The association will hold a ceremony April 24, the date when some countries commemorate the alleged Armenian genocide in Ottoman lands.
The newly added names include Krikor Zohrab, a lawyer, author and three-time deputy in the Ottoman Parliament; Taniel Varujan, a renowned Armenian writer; Rupen Zartaryan, Siamento (Atom Yarjanian) and six others, all also pioneers of western Armenian literature.
Though the ÇGD was late in making the move, it did not have the necessary documents to add the journalists to the list before, association head Ahmet Abakay told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review. “We realized it when the list prepared by the Arrested Journalists Solidarity Platform reached us. Journalist Ali Bayramoğlu wrote on April 24 about the Armenian-origin journalists killed and we realized the list we had was incomplete. We expect assistance to add more names to it,” Abakay said.
The 76-name list of journalists killed in Turkey before and after the foundation of the Turkish Republic includes well-known figures such as Abdi İpekçi, Çetin Emeç and Uğur Mumcu, but previously contained only one Armenian name: Hrant Dink, a Turkish journalist of Armenian descent who was assassinated in Istanbul in 2007.
When asked whether the ÇGD is worried about the potential response to adding the Armenian journalists to the list, Abakay said: “I wish we had the information before and has taken this radical step before. We, the Turkish people, unfortunately do not know anything but what the official history has told us. The truth was hidden from us.”
Mistakes made in the past must be discussed if the country believes wholeheartedly in democracy, the ÇGD head said. “It is a crime to hide from the people those names that have made contributions to the Turkish press,” Abakay said. “They are all people of this country. They have been slain just like Abdi İpekçi, Uğur Mumcu and others.”
He added that the association seeks to add more names to the list and raise awareness about it.
Armenia claims up to 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed in 1915 under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey denies this, saying that any deaths were the result of civil strife that erupted when Armenians took up arms for independence in eastern Anatolia.
Turkish and Armenian dancers meet on Istanbul Stage
Monday, March 14, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey’s renowned dance and theater group Shaman and Armenian dance troupe Maral, which is made up of Istanbul’s Armenian dancers, will take the stage together with 90 dancers to present a show called ‘Istanbulluys.’ ‘We shall not highlight our identities. Our two friendly groups will share the same stage, just like in Anatolia,’ says Shaman’s General Art Director Murat Uygun
Armenian Maral (in picture) and turkish Shaman dance groups will be on stage in Istanbul on Tuesday to present 'Istanbullys.'
Turkish and Armenian dancers will take to the stage together to present various dances combining Turkish and Armenian dance traditions. Ninety dancers from Turkey’s well-known dance theater Shaman and the Armenian group “Maral” (gazelle) will present verses by Turkish and Armenian poets with magic rhythms of dance and colorful costumes.
Shaman’s General Art Director Murat Uygun spoke to the Hürriyet Daily News. He said they did not want to highlight the identities. “Two groups of friends will take the stage together. The songs, actions and figures are so similar that it is not possible to tell the love for humanity in the poetry of Armenian Sayat Nova and Turkish Yunus Emre with a different language. This is why we try to do something beyond identities.”
Maral’s General Art Director Garbis Çapkan agreed with Uygun, saying: “Rumi says ‘Come, come, whoever you are.’ Beyond this, all words are meaningless.”
Shaman Dance Theater and Maral Music Dance Group will be on stage Tuesday at Cevahir Hotel and Congress Center in Istanbul’s Şişli district. The show is titled “Istanbulluys” (Istanbul-light).
Former choreographer of the Fire of Anatolia
According to information provided by Çapkan, Maral was formed in 1976 as an amateur group with opportunities of Istanbul’s Armenian society. Although it has a history of 34 years, Maral still sees itself as an amateur group. It has 60 dancers.
Shaman was founded in 1999 and now has 40 dancers. It is made up of professional dancers with conservatory educations. The group’s General Art Director Uygun was the choreographer of Turkey’s world-renowned dance group, the Fire of Anatolia. He left the group and formed Shaman.
“I don’t accept the distinction between amateur and professional,” he said. “Even through Maral defines itself as amateur, it is a very professional group. Otherwise, we would not be able to have a harmony on stage. Also, Maral’s solo dance on the stage is superior to professionals.”
Maral’s Çapkan said he defined Maral as an amateur group because he and his dancers do not have academic educations.
Female dancers leave the group when married
The age of dancers in Maral is between 6 and 25. “We need to accept all applications,” Çapkan said. “We are a small community in Istanbul with 50,000 people. We don’t have the luxury to choose people. Also, we survive thanks to the financial resources of the community.”
He said the biggest problem for Maral was that especially female dancers left the group when they were married. “It makes us very sorry to lose a dancer after many years of working. It takes a long time to replace him or her. This is a big problem for us.”
Çapkan said it was also a problem to find costumes for each choreography. “We have big financial problems and ask the community to help us cover our expenses, but this is a very troublesome process.”
A common problem for both dance groups is the lack of a stage, according to Uygun and Çapkın. Uygun said Istanbul did not have a fully equipped stage for professional dancers. “The city needs to a stage urgently.”
Çapkan highlighted another problem. “Not only finding a stage but also finding regional costumes unique to Anatolia is very hard. This is why we try to find authentic costumes from Armenia.”
Monday, March 14, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey’s renowned dance and theater group Shaman and Armenian dance troupe Maral, which is made up of Istanbul’s Armenian dancers, will take the stage together with 90 dancers to present a show called ‘Istanbulluys.’ ‘We shall not highlight our identities. Our two friendly groups will share the same stage, just like in Anatolia,’ says Shaman’s General Art Director Murat Uygun
Armenian Maral (in picture) and turkish Shaman dance groups will be on stage in Istanbul on Tuesday to present 'Istanbullys.'
Turkish and Armenian dancers will take to the stage together to present various dances combining Turkish and Armenian dance traditions. Ninety dancers from Turkey’s well-known dance theater Shaman and the Armenian group “Maral” (gazelle) will present verses by Turkish and Armenian poets with magic rhythms of dance and colorful costumes.
Shaman’s General Art Director Murat Uygun spoke to the Hürriyet Daily News. He said they did not want to highlight the identities. “Two groups of friends will take the stage together. The songs, actions and figures are so similar that it is not possible to tell the love for humanity in the poetry of Armenian Sayat Nova and Turkish Yunus Emre with a different language. This is why we try to do something beyond identities.”
Maral’s General Art Director Garbis Çapkan agreed with Uygun, saying: “Rumi says ‘Come, come, whoever you are.’ Beyond this, all words are meaningless.”
Shaman Dance Theater and Maral Music Dance Group will be on stage Tuesday at Cevahir Hotel and Congress Center in Istanbul’s Şişli district. The show is titled “Istanbulluys” (Istanbul-light).
Former choreographer of the Fire of Anatolia
According to information provided by Çapkan, Maral was formed in 1976 as an amateur group with opportunities of Istanbul’s Armenian society. Although it has a history of 34 years, Maral still sees itself as an amateur group. It has 60 dancers.
Shaman was founded in 1999 and now has 40 dancers. It is made up of professional dancers with conservatory educations. The group’s General Art Director Uygun was the choreographer of Turkey’s world-renowned dance group, the Fire of Anatolia. He left the group and formed Shaman.
“I don’t accept the distinction between amateur and professional,” he said. “Even through Maral defines itself as amateur, it is a very professional group. Otherwise, we would not be able to have a harmony on stage. Also, Maral’s solo dance on the stage is superior to professionals.”
Maral’s Çapkan said he defined Maral as an amateur group because he and his dancers do not have academic educations.
Female dancers leave the group when married
The age of dancers in Maral is between 6 and 25. “We need to accept all applications,” Çapkan said. “We are a small community in Istanbul with 50,000 people. We don’t have the luxury to choose people. Also, we survive thanks to the financial resources of the community.”
He said the biggest problem for Maral was that especially female dancers left the group when they were married. “It makes us very sorry to lose a dancer after many years of working. It takes a long time to replace him or her. This is a big problem for us.”
Çapkan said it was also a problem to find costumes for each choreography. “We have big financial problems and ask the community to help us cover our expenses, but this is a very troublesome process.”
A common problem for both dance groups is the lack of a stage, according to Uygun and Çapkın. Uygun said Istanbul did not have a fully equipped stage for professional dancers. “The city needs to a stage urgently.”
Çapkan highlighted another problem. “Not only finding a stage but also finding regional costumes unique to Anatolia is very hard. This is why we try to find authentic costumes from Armenia.”
3 Mart 2011 Perşembe
Armenian Patriarchate awards Turkish Kızılay with medal
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Deputy Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan (R) gives a medal to Kızılay General Chairman Tekin Küçükali.
The Turkish Armenian Patriarchate has awarded the Turkish Red Crescent, or Kızılay, with a medal of honor in a sign of gratitude for the latter’s aid in December 2010 for 3,000 needy people under the patriarchate’s care.
The medals were given to Kızılay General Chairman Tekin Küçükali, Kızılay adviser Kamil Akyıldız and Kızılay Adalar branch executive board member Avedis Hilkat by Deputy Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan.
The patriarchate and Kızılay jointly decided in December 2010 to help people in need living in the area surrounding the patriarchate’s main building in Istanbul’s Kumkapı district, home to people from many ethnic backgrounds who speak various languages.
Hilkat, who is also the deputy head of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP’s, Adalar branch, played a key role in realizing the joint action. Kızılay provided the patriarchate with 1,000 packages of food and clothing.
“I have received many medals, but this prize is of a special significance to me, as I received the medal from the patriarchate’s committee for helping it help people in need,” Küçükali told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review late last week.
He also said the prize was the first of its type given by the patriarchate, which made him even more emotional.
“We did our duty to brotherhood and humanity and will keep supporting [people] whenever there is need,” Küçükali said, adding that he did not want to consider what they had done as “help,” but rather considered it a duty.
Debate on security of aid packages
A large debate emerged in the Armenian community over the aid, as the patriarchate argued the aid packages had to be stored in its building rather than in cellars so that they could be safe. Hilkat said that after considering all the criticism, they had decided to take the aid packages to Kızılay’s storerooms in Istanbul’s Maltepe district and the church’s other available storage spaces.
Noting that the patriarchate would not discriminate on the basis of religion, language or race while distributing the aid, Hilkat said, “There are 3,000 families in need in Kumkapı, as registered by the patriarchate, of Turkish, African and Armenian origin, who were assisted by the donated aid collected by the Armenian Church without any discrimination.”
The patriarchate faced serious financial problems after the recent financial crisis, according to Hilkat; he said he had brought the idea of providing aid to the people in need to Kızılay’s general chairman.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Deputy Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan (R) gives a medal to Kızılay General Chairman Tekin Küçükali.
The Turkish Armenian Patriarchate has awarded the Turkish Red Crescent, or Kızılay, with a medal of honor in a sign of gratitude for the latter’s aid in December 2010 for 3,000 needy people under the patriarchate’s care.
The medals were given to Kızılay General Chairman Tekin Küçükali, Kızılay adviser Kamil Akyıldız and Kızılay Adalar branch executive board member Avedis Hilkat by Deputy Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan.
The patriarchate and Kızılay jointly decided in December 2010 to help people in need living in the area surrounding the patriarchate’s main building in Istanbul’s Kumkapı district, home to people from many ethnic backgrounds who speak various languages.
Hilkat, who is also the deputy head of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP’s, Adalar branch, played a key role in realizing the joint action. Kızılay provided the patriarchate with 1,000 packages of food and clothing.
“I have received many medals, but this prize is of a special significance to me, as I received the medal from the patriarchate’s committee for helping it help people in need,” Küçükali told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review late last week.
He also said the prize was the first of its type given by the patriarchate, which made him even more emotional.
“We did our duty to brotherhood and humanity and will keep supporting [people] whenever there is need,” Küçükali said, adding that he did not want to consider what they had done as “help,” but rather considered it a duty.
Debate on security of aid packages
A large debate emerged in the Armenian community over the aid, as the patriarchate argued the aid packages had to be stored in its building rather than in cellars so that they could be safe. Hilkat said that after considering all the criticism, they had decided to take the aid packages to Kızılay’s storerooms in Istanbul’s Maltepe district and the church’s other available storage spaces.
Noting that the patriarchate would not discriminate on the basis of religion, language or race while distributing the aid, Hilkat said, “There are 3,000 families in need in Kumkapı, as registered by the patriarchate, of Turkish, African and Armenian origin, who were assisted by the donated aid collected by the Armenian Church without any discrimination.”
The patriarchate faced serious financial problems after the recent financial crisis, according to Hilkat; he said he had brought the idea of providing aid to the people in need to Kızılay’s general chairman.
Controversial play now heading to the Caucasus
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Renowned US feminist writer Eve Ensler’s controversial play 'The Vagina Monologues' is on its way to the Caucasus. Following Tbilisi and Baku, the play will be staged in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, in April but debate has already started, with some upset by the sexual imagery of the title. Turkey first staged the play in 2003 amid controversy
Turkish theater actress Almula Merter, the director of Turkey's production of 'The Vagina Monologues.'
“The Vagina Monologues” theater play will make its Armenian debut next month, yet the performance’s sensitive subject matter is already generating plenty of discussion in the Transcaucasus nation about sex and women’s rights.
“It is very important to stage such plays in this region where we live. The fact that women have sexual needs is ignored,” freelance Armenian journalist Ani Hovhannesyan recently told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
The play, which was written by U.S. feminist Eve Ensler in 1996, has traveled to many countries around the world, including Muslim countries such as Egypt and Turkey. After stops in Tbilisi and Baku on its current tour, “The Vagina Monologues” will come to Yerevan, where it has all drawn reaction from some upset by the sexual imagery occasioned by the title.
“Women are dying every day in my country because of domestic violence,” Milena Bavagan, who adapted the play to the stage in Armenia, told the Daily News. “I want to ask if those who are against this play are aware of this painful fact.”
Play speaks to women’s problems common throughout Caucasus
Datevig Aghabedyan, a program assistant at the Women’s Resource Center in Armenia, said women’s problems in all three countries were typically the same.
“As the Women’s Resource Center in Armenia, we have been carrying out joint projects with Georgian and Azerbaijani women; we discuss common problems and try to find solutions,” she said.
In the Armenian adaptation of the play, some small changes will be made by the director to suit the Armenian context, said Bavagan, adding that their purpose was to make women more conscious about their rights with the play. “Violence against women should end,” she said.
Aghabedyan said her women’s center received phone calls every day from victimized women. “Most of the calls are because of physical and psychological violence. Of course the number of rape victims is very high. Our relations with Azerbaijani and Georgian women continue because our problems are the same.”
Turkish controversy
The play caused a storm of debate when it was first staged in Turkey in 2003. Its director, Turkish theater actress Almula Merter, was sued by the Kadıköy District Governor’s Office for sexual provocation because of the word “vagina” in the show’s poster. Merter also received death threats.
Having experienced adversity in trying to bring the play to the Turkish stage, Merter said she was ready to support Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian women in the fight for rights. “Never take a step backward and never give up demanding your rights.”
“Those criticizing this play get stuck on the word ‘vagina,’” said Merter. “But Ensler handles many issues, from birth to maidenhood and from rapes in Bosnia to burqas, in this play.”
She said the Kadıköy District Governor’s Office had said the group could perform the play on condition that they removed the word “vagina” from the title.
“The word was found provocative and scary by the Kadıköy district governor at the time,” she said.
In the end, however, Merter staged the play under its original name despite receiving death threats.
“Newspapers called me a naughty woman but I don’t care. The main reason why I staged this play was to draw attention to rape and violence against women,” she said, adding that she would stage it again if possible.
‘Play needs to be brought to rural areas’
Merter staged the play even in the remote parts of Anatolia and talked to women there about their problems. Hovhannesyan said a similar thing should be done in Armenia as well.
“This play should be performed in small districts and villages in Armenia, too. Women living there think that their vagina is only for giving birth. But in spite of that there are also women who really know their rights in my country,” she said.
Ultimately, Hovhannesyan said discussing the issues in the play was a must. “An excessive imposition in a closed society may cause social explosion.”
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Renowned US feminist writer Eve Ensler’s controversial play 'The Vagina Monologues' is on its way to the Caucasus. Following Tbilisi and Baku, the play will be staged in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, in April but debate has already started, with some upset by the sexual imagery of the title. Turkey first staged the play in 2003 amid controversy
Turkish theater actress Almula Merter, the director of Turkey's production of 'The Vagina Monologues.'
“The Vagina Monologues” theater play will make its Armenian debut next month, yet the performance’s sensitive subject matter is already generating plenty of discussion in the Transcaucasus nation about sex and women’s rights.
“It is very important to stage such plays in this region where we live. The fact that women have sexual needs is ignored,” freelance Armenian journalist Ani Hovhannesyan recently told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
The play, which was written by U.S. feminist Eve Ensler in 1996, has traveled to many countries around the world, including Muslim countries such as Egypt and Turkey. After stops in Tbilisi and Baku on its current tour, “The Vagina Monologues” will come to Yerevan, where it has all drawn reaction from some upset by the sexual imagery occasioned by the title.
“Women are dying every day in my country because of domestic violence,” Milena Bavagan, who adapted the play to the stage in Armenia, told the Daily News. “I want to ask if those who are against this play are aware of this painful fact.”
Play speaks to women’s problems common throughout Caucasus
Datevig Aghabedyan, a program assistant at the Women’s Resource Center in Armenia, said women’s problems in all three countries were typically the same.
“As the Women’s Resource Center in Armenia, we have been carrying out joint projects with Georgian and Azerbaijani women; we discuss common problems and try to find solutions,” she said.
In the Armenian adaptation of the play, some small changes will be made by the director to suit the Armenian context, said Bavagan, adding that their purpose was to make women more conscious about their rights with the play. “Violence against women should end,” she said.
Aghabedyan said her women’s center received phone calls every day from victimized women. “Most of the calls are because of physical and psychological violence. Of course the number of rape victims is very high. Our relations with Azerbaijani and Georgian women continue because our problems are the same.”
Turkish controversy
The play caused a storm of debate when it was first staged in Turkey in 2003. Its director, Turkish theater actress Almula Merter, was sued by the Kadıköy District Governor’s Office for sexual provocation because of the word “vagina” in the show’s poster. Merter also received death threats.
Having experienced adversity in trying to bring the play to the Turkish stage, Merter said she was ready to support Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian women in the fight for rights. “Never take a step backward and never give up demanding your rights.”
“Those criticizing this play get stuck on the word ‘vagina,’” said Merter. “But Ensler handles many issues, from birth to maidenhood and from rapes in Bosnia to burqas, in this play.”
She said the Kadıköy District Governor’s Office had said the group could perform the play on condition that they removed the word “vagina” from the title.
“The word was found provocative and scary by the Kadıköy district governor at the time,” she said.
In the end, however, Merter staged the play under its original name despite receiving death threats.
“Newspapers called me a naughty woman but I don’t care. The main reason why I staged this play was to draw attention to rape and violence against women,” she said, adding that she would stage it again if possible.
‘Play needs to be brought to rural areas’
Merter staged the play even in the remote parts of Anatolia and talked to women there about their problems. Hovhannesyan said a similar thing should be done in Armenia as well.
“This play should be performed in small districts and villages in Armenia, too. Women living there think that their vagina is only for giving birth. But in spite of that there are also women who really know their rights in my country,” she said.
Ultimately, Hovhannesyan said discussing the issues in the play was a must. “An excessive imposition in a closed society may cause social explosion.”
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