Author: nina hovnanian

OPENING OF “NO TO GENOCIDE!” SCULPTURE TO BE HELD IN ROSTOV-ON-DON

19:48, 20.04.2015
Region:World News, Armenia
Theme: Politics

Large-scale events devoted to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide commenced in Rostov-on-Don on April 10. The event organizer is
‘Nakhichevan-on-Don Armenian Community’ Rostov Regional NGO.

On April 23 in all Armenian churches of Don the ceremony of communion
of all Armenian Genocide Victims to the Community of saints will
be aired from First-Throned Etchmiadzin, the event organizers told
Armenian News – NEWS.am.

The main events will be held on April 24. After the traditional
mourning liturgy and flower-laying on the cross-stone installed at St.

Karapet Church, a mourning march will take place, which is expected
to be attended by 10,000 people. The participants of the march will
hold banners urging to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and condemn
the crimes against humanity.

The event will culminate in the opening of the statue “No to Genocide,”
which is the only statue in Russia that erases the boundaries between
nationality and ethnicity, saying: “Genocide knows no nationality! No
to crimes against humanity!”

The sculpture was made by famous Armenian sculptor Mkrtich Mazmanian in
Armenia specially for that date, upon the order of ‘Nakhichevan-on-Don
Armenian Community’ Rostov Regional NGO. It will be installed in the
very heart of Nakhichevan.

The events will end at the Musical Theatre in the evening by honoring
the Armenian Genocide victims.

WIE GAUCK IN DER ARMENIEN-FRAGE DURCHREGIERTE

Vom “Massaker” an Armeniern sprach Außenminister Steinmeier noch
am Freitag. Dann setzte sich Prasident Gauck mit der Bezeichnung
“Volkermord” durch – zusammen mit vielen Abgeordneten der Koalition.

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Bundesprasident Joachim Gauck drangte in der Debatte uber Armenien
auf den Begriff “Volkermord”, Kanzlerin Angela Merkel zogerte. Nun
gibt es einen Antrag, der das Wort – im Plural – verwendet und in
einen Kontext stellt Foto: dpa

In zweifacher Hinsicht handelte es sich um Diplomatie auf hochster
Ebene. Es ging um nichts weniger als die Frage, ob Deutschland
die Verbrechen des Osmanischen Reichs an den Armeniern vor 100
Jahren nunmehr als “Volkermord” bezeichnen soll. Das ware immerhin
ein diplomatisches Novum. Am Wochenende berieten Vertreter des
Bundesprasidialamts, des Bundeskanzleramts, des Auswartigen Amts (AA)
und der Spitzen der beiden Regierungsfraktionen uber das heikle Thema –
immer wieder, in unterschiedlichen Konstellationen.

Schon zuvor habe Bundesprasident Joachim Gauck uber einen Vertreter
darauf hingewirkt, dass das Massaker an den Armeniern in der Resolution
der schwarz-roten Koalition fur die Bundestagsdebatte am Freitag als
Beispiel fur Volkermord anerkannt werde, hieß es. Gauck selbst will
in einer Ansprache am kommenden Donnerstag eine ahnliche Einschatzung
formulieren.

Von einem Austausch zwischen Regierung und Bundesprasidialamt “genau
in dieser Frage” und “Impulsen aus dem Bundesprasidialamt” berichtete
der Sprecher des Auswartigen Amtes, Martin Schafer. Gaucks Leute
hatten durchblicken lassen, der Prasident werde sich am Donnerstag
zumindest in Richtung des Begriffs “Volkermord” bewegen, hieß es
am Montag an anderer Stelle. Das liege nahe bei einem Gottesdienst,
in dessen Rahmen des Volkermords gedacht werden soll.

Also habe die Gefahr bestanden, dass sich eine Kluft bilden konnte
zwischen den Verfassungsorganen Bundesprasident, Bundesregierung und
Bundestag. Daher also die diversen Beratungen, jener “vertrauensvolle
Austausch” am Wochenende. Deshalb die Bemuhungen, die drei Pole
Prasident, Exekutive und Legislative auf eine Linie zu bringen. Auf
eine Linie mit unterschiedlichen Intonierungen, versteht sich.

… beklagt die Taten der damaligen turkischen Regierung, die zur
fast vollstandigen Vernichtung der Armenier im Osmanischen Reich
gefuhrt haben

Aus dem Antrag der Koalitionsfraktionen

“Erinnerung und Gedenken an die Vertreibungen und Massaker
an den Armeniern vor 100 Jahren” – so ist der Antrag der
Bundestagsfraktionen von CDU/CSU und SPD uberschrieben. An diesem
Freitag soll er verabschiedet werden. Bereits am Montag sagte
Regierungssprecher Steffen Seibert: “Hinter diesem Antrag steht
die Bundesregierung.” Der Begriff “Volkermord” – in seinem Plural
– ist Teil des zweieinhalbseitigen Textes; bisher hatten deutsche
Regierungen ihn gemieden. Nun wird er in einem großeren historischen
Kontext eingebettet. Mit der Erwahnung des Worts vermeidet die
konzertierte Aktion von Staatsoberhaupt, Exekutive und Legislative
allzu offenkundige Differenzen in ihrer Geschichtsauslegung.

In dem Antrag, der nach einer entsprechenden Debatte am Freitag im
Plenum des Bundestags beschlossen werden soll, heißt es, der Bundestag
“beklagt die Taten der damaligen turkischen Regierung, die zur fast
vollstandigen Vernichtung der Armenier im Osmanischen Reich gefuhrt
haben”. Er betont ferner: “Er bedauert die unruhmliche Rolle des
Deutschen Reiches.”

Die bis zuletzt umstrittene Formulierung findet sich in seinem zweiten
Absatz. Die planmaßige Vertreibung und Vernichtung von uber einer
Million ethnischer Armenier stehe “beispielhaft fur die Geschichte der
Massenvernichtungen, der ethnischen Sauberungen, der Vertreibungen,
ja der Volkermorde, von denen das 20. Jahrhundert auf so schreckliche
Weise gezeichnet ist. Dabei wissen wir um die Einzigartigkeit des
Holocaust, fur den Deutschland Schuld und Verantwortung tragt.”

Intensive Debatte im Auswartigen Amt

In den vergangenen Tagen war der Druck innerhalb der Fraktionen
von Union und SPD gestiegen, die Bezeichnung “Volkermord” zu
verwenden. Zu parteipolitisch eher ungewohnlichen Konstellationen
kam es. Stark fur das V-Wort etwa machten sich Erika Steinbach (CDU)
und Dietmar Nietan (SPD), die eine vom rechten Flugel ihrer Fraktion,
der andere ein linker Sozialdemokrat. Der Druck stieg. Einzelne
Abgeordnete riefen nach Verwendung des Begriffs “Volkermord”, zum
Teil per Pressemitteilung. Noch am Freitag aber signalisierten die
Fraktionsvorsitzenden von Union und SPD, Volker Kauder (CDU) und
Thomas Oppermann, in der Resolution werde der Begriff fehlen. Es
sollte nicht das letzte Wort bleiben.

Bereits am Sonntag hatte Außenminister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD),
von dem der Begriff bis dato vermieden worden war, eine Tur geoffnet.

Man konne das, was damals geschehen sei, “in dem Begriff des
Volkermords zusammenfassen wollen”, sagte Steinmeier der “Suddeutschen
Zeitung”. Im Auswartigen Amt hatte es in den vergangenen Wochen eine
intensive interne Debatte gegeben. Von einer schwierigen Abwagungsfrage
war die Rede. Niemand bestreite die Brutalitat, mit der das Osmanische
Reich gegen die Armenier vorgegangen sei, hieß es. Die Alternative
dazu, vom “Volkermord” zu sprechen, sei nicht, uber das geschehene
Unrecht zu schweigen oder es schonzureden.

Das Massaker an den Armeniern

Im April 1915 begannen die Armeniermassaker im Osmanischen Reich. Das
Bild zeigt hingerichtete Armenier in Istanbul.

1/9 Foto: Reuters/REUTERS

Armenische Waisenkinder. Das Bild entstand 1919.

1/9 Foto: REUTERS

Diese beiden armenischen Jungen verhungerten in der syrischen Wuste.

1/9 Foto: REUTERS

Der deutsche Theologe Johannes Lepsius (1858-1926) machte gegen den
Willen der kaiserlichen Regierung mit seinem “Bericht zur Lage des
armenischen Volkes in der Turkei” (1916) auf die Massaker aufmerksam.

Noch am Freitag, wahrend eines Besuchs in Estland, sprach Steinmeier
von einem “Massaker”. Fur die Bundesregierung gebe es mehrere
Argumente, den Begriff “Genozid” nicht zu verwenden, hieß es im
Auswartigen Amt. In der SPD-Fraktion indes war zu diesem Zeitpunkt
jedoch der Druck so groß, dass Zweifel bestanden, ob es bei Steinmeiers
Sprachregelung bleiben konne.

Schon vor langer Zeit hatte die Bundesregierung entschieden,
AA-Staatsminister Michael Roth (SPD) am 24. April zum Gedenken nach
Armenien zu entsenden. Frankreich ist mit Staatsprasident Francois
Hollande in Eriwan prasent, Russland mit Prasident Wladimir Putin.

Bereits am Vorabend laden die Kirchen zu einer Gedenkveranstaltung in
den Berliner Dom. Bundesprasident Gauck redet hier; er durfte dabei
das Wort Volkermord verwenden.

Neue Spannungen mit der Turkei sind programmiert

Der am Wochenende vereinbarte Konsensantrag werde wahrend der
SPD-Fraktionssitzung auf breite Zustimmung stoßen, hieß es unter
Abgeordneten. Doch der eine oder andere Parlamentarier aus der großen
Koalition wird sein Plazet nur zahneknirschend erteilen. Akzeptabel,
aber nicht uberzeugend sei der Text, war in SPD-Fraktionskreisen zu
horen. Eine rationale Debatte zu diesem emotional besetzten Thema
sei in den vergangenen Tagen nicht gelungen.

Die Gegenuberstellung derjenigen, die fur und die gegen das Wort
“Volkermord” argumentierten – als “Gut gegen Bose” – werde komplexen
historischen und außenpolitischen Fragen nicht gerecht. “Der Verweis
auf die Volkermorde im 20. Jahrhundert bringt die Debatte voran”,
sagte hingegen SPD-Fraktionsvize Rolf Mutzenich der “Welt”. Man durfe
nicht vergessen: “Die Vertreibung und Ermordung der Armenier war kein
singulares Ereignis.”

Berlin stellt sich derweil auf neue Spannungen mit der Regierung
in Ankara ein. “Naturlich ist die Haltung der Turkei mit Blick auf
Armenien inakzeptabel”, sagt ein Außenpolitiker aus der Koalition.

“Nun sind erneut harsche Worte von Herrn Erdogan absehbar.” Offiziell
halt sich die Koalition indes bedeckt. Auf die Frage, ob sich die
Bundesregierung nun auf Spannungen mit Ankara einstellen musse,
sagte AA-Sprecher Schafer: “Das warten wir jetzt mal ab.”

Groß ist im Auswartigen Amt die Verstimmung uber Ankara – nicht
zuletzt uber die jungsten Attacken von Prasident Erdogan und seinem
Außenminister gegen Papst Franziskus, der von einem Volkermord an den
Armeniern gesprochen hatte. Die turkische Regierung sei nicht in der
Lage, sich kritisch mit der eigenen Geschichte zu befassen, heißt es
in Steinmeiers Haus. Damit verstoße Ankara klar gegen die Werte und
“eminente Klubregeln” der EU.

ASSYRIAN CITIZENS OF TURKEY DECLARE 100-HOUR HUNGER STRIKE AGAINST TURKEY’S DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

16:07, 20 April, 2015

YEREVAN, 20 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. A group of Assyrian citizens of Turkey
have declared a 100-hour hunger strike against Turkey’s denial of the
Armenian Genocide until April 24th. The hunger strike is devoted to
the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

As “Armenpress” reports, citing Agos Weekly, leader of the Federation
of Assyrian Organizations Ergil Turkerhas declared that the hunger
strike is a response to the crime that was committed in the past.

Turker also said all the Assyrian organizations of the Turabdin
region, which is considered the holy place for Assyrians, support
the hunger strike.

Editor of the Assyrian Sabro newspaper Tuma Celik mentioned that
the events commemorating the events of 1915 would continue in Turkey
throughout the year.

AKHTALA MINING COMPANY POSES THREAT TO LOCAL POPULATION (VIDEO)

17:12 | April 20,2015 | Regions

The tailing dam of the Akhtala Mining Company is operated with serious
environmental violations, say environmentalists. Moreover, the company
wants to build a new tailing dam as the current one is already full.

Local residents demand that the company administration work without
harming their health and the environment.

Details are available in the video of Alaverdi’s “Ankyun plus 3” TV

KARABAKH WAR VETERAN STARTS HUNGER STRIKE

17:21 | April 20,2015 | Politics

Karabakh war veteran Khachik Avetisyan is beginning a hunger strike
outside the Ombudsman’s Office in Yerevan with a demand to release
political prisoners in Armenia.

Mr Avetisyan says he has chosen the venue deliberately to call
Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan’s attention to his demand.

Later in the evening the freedom fighter will go home and continue
the hunger strike there until April 25. He will return to the site
on Saturday and continue the protest there until the jailed members
of the Founding parliament movement are set free.

The Karabakh war veteran says they do not seek to come to power,
nor do their want to join the ranks of the opposition. “We are all
Armenians and we want to leave in peace,” he stressed.

“genocide” comments

The reason for the growing international tendency to recognize the
mass killings of Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire in 1915
as genocide is the Sunni Islamist policy pursued by the ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP), a senior main opposition party leader has
claimed.

“This has turned into a Turkey-bashing campaign. And this is because
of the AKP and its policies drifting Turkey towards being a Sunni
Islamist country,” Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Head Murat
Ozcelik told the Hurriyet Daily News on April 14.

Armenia says up to 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians were killed in a
genocide starting in 1915. Turkey denies that the deaths amounted to
genocide, saying the death toll of Armenians killed during mass
deportations has been inflated and that those killed in 1915 and 1916
were victims of general unrest during World War I.

Recalling that Pope Francis described the 1915 incidents as “genocide”
and that the European Parliament will likely vote in favour of
recognizing the genocide, calling on EU member countries to do the
same, Ozcelik criticized the government for underestimating the impact
of the 100th anniversary of 1915.

“In the past, Turkey had certain arguments against genocide claims
that worked until now. But it was well-known that there would be
dynamism [in efforts to let it be recognized as genocide] in the
centennial of the incident. Turkey should have carried out its work
based on this fact,” Ozcelik said.

By using the word genocide, the Pope issued an indirect call on
Christian countries to recognize the Armenian genocide, said Ozcelik,
who is also retired ambassador.

“It’s a very important development. The European Parliament will also
call on EU countries to do so [recognize the events as genocide].
Another question is whether the United States will now also use the
same word,” he said.

The reason why Western countries are no longer hesitant to recognize
the Armenian genocide at the expense of angering Turkey and putting
their interests in danger is the fact that the government is speedily
drifting east and becoming an Islamist country, Ozcelik claimed.

“EU countries and the West in general have recently realized how
radical Islam can be threatening. They also observe that Turkey, once
a secular and democratic country aligned with the West and often
introduced as a model country is parting ways,” he added.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ambition to become a super-president
and his “efforts to turn Turkey into an Islamist country” through the
upcoming elections were also being watched by the West, Ozcelik said.

Criticism of the Pope

Although very critical of the government for the “defeat against
Armenian claims,” Ozcelik also slammed Pope Francis for his words.

“Seven million Jews were slaughtered during the Holocaust in an
unprecedented systematic way with the aim of demolishing an entire
race. Therefore it’s very wrong to compare this by describing [the
1915 incidents] as the first genocide of the 20th century. A primary
pleasure of the Christians is to shift responsibility over its
genocide crime by highlighting another suffering. They cannot evade
responsibility this way,” he said.

Every historical incident should be assessed within its own context,
Ozcelik said.

“These things are not comparable. The deportation of Armenians had a
historical background. What Turks did cannot be put in the same
equation with what Stalin or the Nazis did,” he said.

California State Museum opened exhibit on Armenian Genocide

April 18, 2015 14:02

On March 31 the California State Museum in Sacramento opened its
landmark exhibit highlighting Armenian history and culture. The
exhibit captures the Armenian people’s journey through the Armenian
Genocide, Artsakh, and the outstanding contributions of Armenians to
California’s culture and history.

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 18, ARTSAKHPRESSÖ? The exhibit titled `Armenian
Journey: From Shattered Past to Prosperity’ comes just 20 days before
the Armenian National Committee of America ` Western Region’s
California Advocacy Day set for April 19-20 and is part of a long list
of Genocide Centennial commemorative events sponsored by the
California Armenian Legislative Caucus and planned in partnership with
the ANCA-WR, with the help of Armenian Museum of Fresno Chair Varoujan
Der Simonian at and around the State’s Capitol, Asbarez reports.

`We are proud to bring together such a unique collection of artifacts
which displays Armenian culture and immigration. The `Armenian
Journey’ exhibit honors those lost in the Genocide, while highlighting
milestones throughout our collective journeys to our new home away
from our homeland,’ stated Assemblymember Nazarian. `Educating
communities throughout the Golden State of our people’s journey from
persecution to prosperity ensures the past is remembered but never
repeated.’

`The Armenian exhibit on display at The California Museum honors the
remarkable lives and legacies of whom this great state became not only
a place of refuge, but a place to pursue dreams, prosper and thrive.
It is due time these remarkable stories honoring the lives of those
who so deeply enriched California’s own diverse history are shared
with and celebrated by all Californians,’ remarked ANCA-WR Executive
Director Elen Asatryan. `We extend our deep appreciation to the
California State Museum, the California Armenian Legislative Caucus
and all those who made this exhibit possible and especially commend
Assemblymembers Katcho Achadjian, Adrin Nazarian and Scott Wilk for
their leadership and dedication to ensure the success of this poignant
and highly-informative project,’ added Asatryan.

Pulitzer and Academy award-winning author William Saroyan, California
Governor George Deukmejian, and Academy and Grammy award-winning
actress and singer Cher Sarkisian are just a few of the notable
Armenians highlighted in the exhibit amongst other significant
contributions made by Armenians across industries such as agriculture,
medicine, religion, entertainment, technology, and the arts. According
to the California State Museum website `Original art, historic
photographs, cultural objects and rare artifacts illustrate the
significant achievements of Armenian Californians from the farms of
Fresno to the stages of Hollywood and the halls of government in
Sacramento.’

`The California Museum thanks the California Armenian Legislative
caucus for partnering with us to bring this compelling story of
survival and the California Dream to our audience. The California
Museum strives to tell the story that is not often available in text
books or known by the general population, but are by their nature the
fabric of our culture and society. This story is a prime example,’
stated California State Museum Executive Director Dori Moorehead.

Also on display are eyewitness testimonials from the Armenian
Genocide, the orphan rugs ` rugs woven by the orphans of the Armenian
Genocide, the history of Armenia’s adoption of Christianity as a state
religion, and the efforts of the Near East Relief (NER) ` the United
States’ oldest Congressionally-sanctioned non-governmental
organization which for the first time in American history expressed
the collective generosity and humanitarianism of the American People
and ultimately saved the Armenian nation from total annihilation
during and in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide.

Over a period of 15 years from 1915 to 1930, the NER successfully
saved over 1,000,000 refugees and 132,000 orphans of the Armenian
Nation and other Christian minorities half a world away. Despite its
initial fundraising goal of $100,000 which was later raised to $30
million, the NER ultimately raised $117 million, the equivalent of
$2.7 billion in today’s dollars.

`Armenian Rugs Society commends the management team of Californian
Museum for undertaking the planning of the exhibit titled `Armenian
Journey: From Shattered Past to Prosperity”A truly remarkable
presentation of cultural objects reflecting the life of Armenian
immigrants and highlighting their contributions to the State of
California,’ stated Armenian Rugs Society President Hratch
Kozibeyokian. `For the realization of this exhibit ARS has gladly
provided two historical carpets woven by the Armenian orphans in the
orphanages of Aintab and Ghazir and an assorted authentic samples of
antique hand woven textiles and embroideries unique to the Armenian
culture,’ added Kozibeyokian.

The exhibit will remain open through August 2, 2015. A special tour of
the exhibit has been scheduled on Monday, April 20, 2015 during the
ANCA WR CA Advocacy Day. For individuals/groups from the Los Angeles
area who are interested in participating in the CA Advocacy Day and
viewing the exhibit, bus transportation to and from Sacramento as well
as lodging will be provided. The bus will depart on Sunday, April 19,
2015 at 9AM and will return the following evening on Monday, April 20,
2015. The last to register for Advocacy Day is Saturday, April 11,
2015, 11:59pm. To register, please visit ANCAWR.org/Advocacy Day. For
more information about Advocacy Day, visit , email
[email protected] or call (818) 500-1918.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 18 2015

Davutoðlu says neither Pope nor European Parliament can talk down to Turkey

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoðlu (Photo: Today’s Zaman, Mustafa Kirazlý)

April 18, 2015, Saturday/ 17:46:59/ TODAYSZAMAN.COM / ISTANBUL

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoðlu has said neither pope nor the
European Parliament can look down on Turkey as he continued his
criticisms of decisions by Pope Francis and the European Parliament
(EP) to publicly describe the 1915 mass killings of Armenians as a
“genocide.”

“We are ready to share the pains. However, they [Europeans] cannot do
one thing to us. Neither the pope with his religious identity nor the
European Parliament, which has almost become the voice of racism
recently, can talk down to Turkey. Nobody can speak to us with
arrogance. We do not let this. Anyone who would like to talk to us
will speak from the eye level,” Davutoðlu said on Saturday.

The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution that refers
to the mass killings of Armenians during World War I as “genocide”
late on Wednesday and called on Turkey to end its policy of denial.
The European Parliament’s resolution came shortly after Pope Francis
described the 1915 events as “the first genocide of the 20th century”
during Mass last Sunday.

Immediately after the vote, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a
statement condemning the resolution. It claimed in the statement that
the European Parliament is “contriving obstacles to the development of
Turkey-EU relations [and has] aspired once again to rewrite history
regarding the 1915 events.”

The Foreign Ministry also said the text adopted by the European
Parliament on Wednesday only repeats the “anti-Turkish clichés of the
Armenian propaganda,” adding that it has made a mistake incompatible
with international law and has exceeded its competence.

OurWindsor.ca
April 18 2015

Atom Egoyan’s very big year

Director to receive Governor-General’s lifetime achievement award, TSO
salutes Ararat and his new film, Remember, debuts in the fall

By Martin Knelman

“This is a little discombobulating,” remarked Atom Egoyan, squirming
in a swivel chair, staring at the screen, not quite believing what we
were seeing and what we were not seeing.

A laugh-inducing technical glitch was threatening to undercut a great
and serious moment for Egoyan. But he, more than anyone, with
characteristic modesty and good humour, savoured the irony and humour
of the situation.

The good news: Egoyan is about to be celebrated as one of Canada’s
cultural treasures, winning a hugely prestigious Governor-General’s
Performing Arts Awards for lifetime achievement. And the announcement
was being made just days before a Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert
marking the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide — the event
that has loomed over both the work and the life of Egoyan for decades.

He is famous for many reasons, but one of them is his near-obsessive
interest in many of his movies with the use of technology and how it
can sometimes distance people. And for a few minutes, botched
technology turned the news of a milestone award for Egoyan into what
seemed like a satiric scene from one of his own movies.

Egoyan was in a meeting room on the fourth floor of the TIFF Bell
Lightbox, joined by a few witnesses to watch the live streaming of the
announcement of the winners of the 2015 Governor-General’s Performing
Arts Awards, to be presented at a glitzy gala at the National Arts
Centre in Ottawa on May 31.

Once the moment passed and we could move beyond technology, what
loomed large was how in the spring of 2015 pieces of the Egoyan
phenomenon are reaching a crescendo at once.

The Armenian genocide became world news when the Pope deliberately
used the G word — prompting a rift between the Vatican and the Turkish
government, which has always refused to acknowledge there was a
genocide in the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

Egoyan tackled the subject of the genocide in his 2002 movie Ararat,
which was met by threats and complaints from pro-Turkish protesters.
Since then Canada has officially acknowledged the genocide, but the
U.S. still has not.

Ararat will get a big cultural salute in Toronto on Wednesday, when
the anniversary of the genocide will be marked with a special concert
showcasing the music of Armenia. One high point will be the premiere
of a 20-minute piece called “Ararat,” by the distinguished composer
Mychael Danna, commissioned by the TSO based on the score Danna wrote
for Egoyan’s movie.

“The Pope’s comments have had a huge impact,” Egoyan explained the
other day, “but even before that we were very aware this anniversary
is a great opportunity to celebrate our heritage.”

Egoyan grew up in Victoria in one of the only Armenian families on
Canada’s West Coast. Both his parents are painters, who met at art
school in Egypt. And his sister, Eve, is a noted musician.

Virginia Thompson, who is producing the May 31 gala, plans to focus
not just on Egoyan’s films but his astonishing cultural range, which
includes directing opera, plays and visual art installations.

“I still get nourishment from theatre and opera,” Egoyan said, citing
as high points his recent revival of Die Walkure for the Canadian
Opera Company, and directing Michael Gambon in memorable half-hour
Samuel Beckett play called Eh Joe. That production drew huge acclaim
in Dublin, London and New York, but I wish we could see it in Toronto,
Stratford or Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This year looms as the culmination of Egoyan’s amazing career, with
Die Walkure and the TSO’s salute to Ararat segueing into the Ottawa
honour in May. Egoyan has won countless awards over the years in
Toronto, Ottawa, Cannes, Hollywood and elsewhere, but the circle of
GGPA winners is a very small and special club.

After a summer break, Egoyan’s 2015 reaches a peak with the world
premiere in the fall of his latest movie, Remember. Once again,
genocide is the subject.

Produced by Robert Lantos, who also partnered with Egoyan on Ararat
and many other movies, Remember is a road movie, Holocaust memorial
and thriller combined. It stars Christopher Plummer as a survivor
hunting down the Nazi who wiped out his family.

“I loved working with Chris and I think this is a crowning role for
him,” says Egoyan.

Although Egoyan has had a hugely successful run at the Cannes Film
Festival, Remember will bypass the Riviera because last year, Egoyan’s
movie The Captive was booed at the press screening.

“It was a brutal morning,” Egoyan recalls. “There seemed to be a gang
mentality. It was so intense, it seems like yesterday.”

So when it came to returning to Cannes, Egoyan says, “I felt this was
way too soon.”

That said, the world premiere of Remember will take place at one of
the fall film festivals. I’d bet on TIFF or Venice.

And I feel confident that if Remember premieres in Toronto (as I
hope), the projection will go off without a hitch.

Ararat composer seeks reconciliation

“I was astounded by the richness I found in Armenian music, from the
early church chant, the court music and the folk music,” says
Winnipeg-born composer Mychael Danna, who wrote the music for many of
Egoyan’s films and won an Oscar for The Life of Pi.

At the TSO’s Wednesday concert, “These haunting melodies will be
played by Armenian folk instrument musicians, along with the TSO and
the incomparable soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian,” the composer says.

“On the 100th anniversary of what is in fact continuing violence,
through the official denials of this historical event, I offer up this
work to the memory of those who suffered and continue to suffer, in
hopes of reconciliation, forgiveness and the brotherhood of all men.”

Toronto Star

Daily Sabah, Turkey
April 18 2015

The statement of condolences and potential reconciliation

KILIÇ BUÄ?RA KANAT @KilicKanat

Almost a year ago, in April 2014, an important breakthrough took place
in the case of disputes over historical narratives between Turkey and
Armenia. For the first time in the Republic of Turkey’s history, then
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an released a statement of condolence
in regards to the events that took place in 1915. The statement was
paving the way for a paradigm change in Turkish-Armenian relations.
The spirit of this letter is still alive and the potential for
reconciliation, despite all the odds, still does exist. However time
is of the essence. Before it is too late, the two nations need to
rescue their relationship and turn history into an element that unites
them instead of one that divides.

In a week that will be occupied by the debates on historical
narratives, collective memories and relations between Turkey and
Armenia, it is important to remember this statement and its potential
to reconcile the differences and disputes between the two countries.
The statement that was released by the Prime Minister’s office in
April 2014, stressed important steps needed for the reparation of
ties. It represented a paradigm shift in three ways. First of all, the
statement highlighted the shared pain that Turks, Armenians as well as
millions of other citizens experienced in the First World War. This
was a new perspective from which to approach the incidents that took
place at this fateful turning point of history, and provided a common
ground for Turks and Armenians to rebuild their relations. In this
statement, ErdoÄ?an said, “Any conscientious, fair and humanistic
approach to these issues requires an understanding of all the
sufferings endured in this period, without discriminating as to
religion or ethnicity. Certainly, neither constructing hierarchies of
pain nor comparing and contrasting suffering carries any meaning for
those who experienced this pain themselves…. It is a duty of
humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the suffering
experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of the
Ottoman Empire.”

A second important dimension of the letter was breaking the taboo of
the Turkish politicians to avoid talking about these incidents.
Instead, ErdoÄ?an encouraged historians and researchers to debate and
discuss these issues pertaining to the events of 1915 in a pluralistic
and open manner. He mentioned this argument by saying that “In Turkey,
expressing different opinions and thoughts freely on the events of
1915 is the requirement of a pluralistic society, as well as of a
culture of democracy and modernity. Some may perceive this climate of
freedom in Turkey as an opportunity to express accusatory, offensive
and even provocative assertions and allegations. Even so, if this will
enable us to better understand historical issues with their legal
aspects and to transform resentment into friendship again, it is
natural to approach different discourses with empathy and tolerance
and expect a similar attitude from all sides.”

Finally then, Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an took a dramatic step forward
regarding the events and extended his condolences to the grandchildren
of the Armenians who lost their lives in 1915 events. ErdoÄ?an also
warned that both Armenians and Turks need to be careful about those
who try to use these historical events to incite hostility and those
groups who attempt to turn the issue into a political conflict.

Those who know the history of the contestation of the narratives on
the 1915 events considered this statement as a potential facilitator
of reconciliation between the two nations. For the last few years, the
government has been taking significant steps in order to repair its
ties with non-Muslim communities living in Turkey. For example, as
part of a major reform process, in 2011 the Turkish government amended
the Law on Foundations and expanded the property rights of these
foundations around Turkey. The reform included the return of the
properties of non-Muslim communities, including Armenian foundations
and churches. Among those foundations whose properties were returned
included the Yedikule Surp Pirgic Hospital Foundation and the
Diyarbakir Surp Giragos Armenian Church Foundation. Even before this
reform took place, the government had already ordered the restoration
and renovation of historical structures with religious importance.
Akdamar Armenian Church was probably one of the most significant of
these structures. In addition, there were significant renovation and
restoration projects carried out throughout Turkey: the Armenian Supr
Giragos Church in Diyarbakir was restored and opened for religious
services, the Surp Vortvots Vorotman Church was restored, and several
building in the Armenian Cemetery in Malatya were rebuilt during this
process. These developments were also acknowledged by the USCIRF in
its reports.

The return of properties and rights were not the only developments. In
the last few years, with the increasing democratization and opening up
of society, there appeared a larger space for the discussions of the
1915 events in Turkey. The words, concepts and discussions that were
considered taboo previously, began to be discussed and debated freely
in Turkey. Universities started to organize conferences bringing
together researchers, intellectuals and historians from different
ideological viewpoints. Various books were published about the 1915
events. Together with these discussions, an optimism about a possible
solution to this problem also emerged rapidly in the country. As a
result, when the above-mentioned statement was released, people from
different walks of life acknowledged that two nations that had lived
side by side for hundreds of years needed to mend their ties by
remembering each other’s tragedies together.

These steps can seem insignificant to some, but for those who
understand the nature of the dispute, each and every one of these
steps was revolutionary. However, the call of the Turkish government
was not responded to positively on the Armenian side. This has the
potential to generate a serious problem for finding a resolution to
the conflict, since the failure of this process will make it extremely
difficult for Turkish policymakers in the future to take such
initiatives. Although the letter has not been responded to positively
yet, the doors for reconciliation are not totally closed. Both
countries that have lived side by side for hundreds of years need to
realize that it is in their best interests to revive their relations
and to form neighborly ties with each other. The last one hundred
years of confrontation, dispute and struggle, especially in Western
capitals, did not bring any good to these two nations. In such a
volatile region of the world, both nations need the support,
friendship, and open doors of their neighbors. Brave policymakers who
are able to persuade the hardliners to benefit from reconciliation,
and who can challenge those that resist this process by building an
active and attentive civil society, can protect and develop a
reconciliation. If the international community genuinely cares about
the region and the people, they can play a role by contributing to
this process of reconciliation and facilitating dialogue and
conversation between Turkey and Armenia.