AZG Armenian Daily #065, 13/04/2005

Concern

SAMVEL KARAPETIAN’S PHOTOS REVEAL EVIDENCE OF ‘CULTURAL GENOCIDE’

Arakelots monastery in Sassoon, Surb Bardughimeos church of Van, Khtskonq
monastery of Kars, Arakelots church of Mush… those are only the few
Armenian cultural and historic monuments that are being demolished in
Western Armenia (today’s Turkey) and the trace of Armenian presence is being
wiped out by the Turks. An organization that is studying the Armenian
architecture has been taking photos of the Turks’ barbarism directed against
every monument that resembles Armenian style. The “Cultural Genocide” photo
exhibition at the campus of Yerevan State University yesterday presented
works of Samvel Karapetian during the last years. Photos shot in 2000-2003
were put beside pictures of 100-150 years old and sites that formerly
featured churches and fretwork turned into mosque and ashlar.

The exhibition was organized by “Nikol Aghbalian” student union of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation and the student council of History Department. The
latter think that this issue is seldom covered today; few people know what’s
happening in our historic motherland. “This is first of all an arrangement
for students. It’s important that they know what the enemy is doing”, Vahe
Sargsian, head of the student council, said.

It is envisaged to put the exhibition at the other educational
establishments as well. Besides, the organizers think of presenting the
photos to international organizations.

Ishghan Saghatelian, president of “Nikol Aghbalian”, is sure that this is
the true face of Turkey as it strives for the EU and that we should show the
essence of the Turks.

By Tamar Minasian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress