OPENING OF AKHTAMAR CHURCH – AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2007 13:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The renovation of the Holy Cross Church in Akhtamar
island undoubtedly is a positive phenomenon, since the matter concerns
one of the most famous Armenian medieval historical-cultural monuments,
which was in poor condition after 1915, RA MFA Acting Press Officer
Vladimir Karapetyan says in his statement. Particularly the statement
notes, "At the same it is worth mentioning that speaking about the
opening of the church, the Turkish authorities and media do not
mention her historical-cultural value.
Turkey’s announcements about the opening of this renovated church
do not include the word ‘Armenian’ anywhere, no mention is made of
its Armenian and Apostolic belonging. This fact is being used for
propaganda purposes, in order to prevent recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by the international community. The Turkish authorities
are trying to avoid of the responsibility not only to history and
memory, but to its own Armenian minority. Examining the issue from
historical viewpoint, one cannot mention that the Holy Cross Church
is one of a dozen other priceless examples of Armenian medieval
architecture on Turkish territory, which have been abandoned at best,
or more often, intentionally vandalized, simply because of their
Armenian identity. Armenia highly appreciates Turkey’s initiative
on renovation of the church hoping that it will not become a single
example. Renovation of the Holy Cross Church is important both for
us and the Turkish society. The denial of such a broad layer of
civilization, historical presence, culture of an entire nation today
is impossible for a nation and a country, which tries to become a
part of civilized system of values. Instead, constantly the political
implication is being underlined of this issue, it is being presented
as a "demonstration of good will" towards Armenia and the Armenian
nation."