FROM COOKERY TO POLITICS

agharshak-klchyan
06:15 pm | October 14, 2009

Visitors of a small restaurant in Istanbul are taken aback when they
hear the cook saying in Armenian: "What would you like to eat?"

"We have excellent fish," the cook tells his clients.

Istanbul’s "Shanthi" restaurant is owned by Vagharshak Klchian.

"Shanthi" is an Indian word meaning tranquility of a soul. But people
visit the restaurant to fill their empty stomachs rather than to
find peace.

"I am the only person who has found tranquility of a soul in this
restaurant," says Mr. Klchian.

The restaurant offers its visitors different dishes including soups
and barbeque.

Vagharshak Klchian lived in Paris for 23 years. He returned to Istanbul
13 years ago and two years later opened the restaurant.

"I decided to start a business in my home town where my ancestors
lived for 3000 years," says Mr. Klchian.

Vagharshak’s son, Arab, is two years old. The father is hopeful that
Arab’s first words will be in Armenian.

A1+’s journalist tried to learnt Vagharshak Klchian’s opinion on the
recently signed Protocols between Armenia and Turkey.

"I have long contemplated over the Protocols and get angry with
everyone who is indifferent to the documents," says Mr. Klchian. "If
Turkey continues to neglect the Genocide, I don’t know what
consequences will be."

"Turkey must recognize the Armenian Genocide for us to rest. I am
confident that Turkey has no other alternative and must recognize
the Genocide sooner or later," says the restaurant owner.

Klchian’s optimism is resulted by the recent changes in Turkey. "Ten
years ago people were afraid to speak of the Armenian Genocide but
today Turks speak about the issue more that Hrant Dink did."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress