Category: 2023

Wizz Air, the fastest growing airline in Europe and the most environmentally sustainable in the world*, this weekend launched its flights from Sofia to the Armenian capital of Yerevan. Flights from Sofia to Yerevan will be operated twice a week – on Wednesdays and Sundays, allowing passengers to enjoy the destination for both leisure and business trips. Tickets are now available on wizzair.com, as well as in the mobile application at prices from only BGN 68.99**

This is the second unique route that the airline is introducing this month for Bulgarian passengers. The addition of this new destination to the Wizz Air network reinforces the carrier's long-standing commitment to the Bulgarian market, providing passengers with a wide range of exciting destinations at affordable prices.

Yerevan is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and has been known by many other names over the years. This destination is the right choice for anyone looking for a different view of the culture and history of the world. Also called the "Pink City" because of the unique lava stone from which most of the buildings are built, Yerevan is a destination suitable for any time of the year. The Armenian capital combines the distant past and the rhythmic present. Here you will find old churches, historical and cultural monuments, museums and galleries, as well as modern sights and places for recreation and entertainment – clubs, restaurants, taverns, bars, shopping centers, squares decorated with pink ornaments, green gardens and parks.

Tamara Nikiforova, Corporate Communications Manager at Wizz Air, commented: "We are excited to take another step forward in expanding our network from Bulgaria to the East. The capital of Armenia offers a unique blend of culture, history and modern urban spirit for all passengers looking to expand their horizons. The Wizz Air crew looks forward to welcoming all passengers on board to this exciting destination!"

"It has been an exciting two weeks with two new destinations from Sofia Airport. We will continue our fruitful partnership with Wizz Air because there are dozens more opportunities waiting to be exploited. We are already adapting the airport to the needs of the airlines and it is paying off. Let's continue to change for the sake of our sustainable future," said Jesus Caballero, CEO of Sofia Airport.

Sisian Boghosian, Head of the Armenia Tourism Committee, said: “We are delighted with our continued partnership with Wizz Air. Connectivity is very important to us and therefore the introduction of new routes by Wizz Air will allow more tourists from different destinations to rediscover Armenia, the Hidden Road, as well as Armenians to visit new and interesting places. Sofia is a charming city and we can't wait to welcome guests from Bulgaria."

Route:
Sofia - Yerevan

Days:
Wednesday, Sunday

Work of the Orient has just sounded the alarm: In April 2023, four months had already passed since the Armenian Christians of Nagorno-Karabakh have been trapped in the blockade by their Muslim neighbor, Azerbaijan. It is a blockade that is literally asphyxiating the population.

At present, 120,000 human beings are trying to survive, with nothing. No food, no gas, no electricity, no medicine – from aspirin to chemotherapy – no soap, no detergent. No diapers for infants, and generally basic hygiene products for men and women are no longer available.

A situation so dramatic that the Work of the Orient denounces it as being “the same spirit that presided over the Armenian genocide of 1915.” Moreover, since 2020, the Azeri president has not hidden his intention “to erase the Armenians from history and geography.”

To understand the drama being played out behind closed doors, one must remember that Armenia is considered a cradle of Christianity. It is the first Christian nation by the baptism of King Tiridates IV in the 4th century, evangelized by Gregory I the Illuminator.

But these people have encountered many sufferings in their history. In 1915, more than a million people perished in the Armenian genocide, orchestrated by the Muslim Ottoman Empire. This first genocide of the 20th century was commemorated on April 24.

The period between 1918 and 1920 saw the formation of two independent states in the region: Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two states simultaneously claimed one of the strategically important regions: Nagorno-Karabakh, also called Nagorny-Karabakh. This region is mainly populated by Armenians, but surrounded by a population of Azeris.

Under the domination of Soviet Russia, two republics were created: Armenia and Azerbaijan, but the conflict continued. After the collapse of the Soviet bloc, Nagorno-Karabakh proclaims its independence as the Republic of Artsakh, which resulted in a war between Armenians and Azeris, at the expense of the latter. That was in 1994.

Thanks to the support of its Muslim Turkish big brother – but also of Israel – Azerbaijan has been able to acquire the latest generation of weapons. But above all, with the deployment of around two thousand Syrian mercenaries experienced in jihad – kindly dispatched by Recip Tayyep Erdogan – the Azeris relaunched the war in the fall of 2020, this time to their advantage.

The autumn 2020 war led to a latent conflict around the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. In September 2022, many Armenians died and thousands more had to leave. And since last December, the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, the Lachin corridor, has been blocked by Azeris.

For its part, Russia, a key player in the region, is in a delicate situation because of the war with Ukraine. Anxious to spare its Turkish ally, whose support is more than ever essential to it, Vladimir Putin does not seem really ready to help Armenian Christians. The defense of orthodoxy still has its limits.

Mr. Tosun explains how the organization adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, earthquake and what role they see themselves playing in the future of the Armenian community.

Additionally, Sevan Tosun shares ways in which people can support Mer Hayer and some success stories, discussion about the challenges faced in scaling operations and what can be expected from Mer Hayer in the future.

What inspired you to create Mer Hayer and how did you get started?

In 2020, I went to Turkey to visit my family and reunited with my friend Arev cebeci while there. Arev Cebeci the president along with his wife Natali Cebeci were already involved with Mer Hayer but on a much smaller scale than it is today. Both of us, since childhood, have always wanted to help Armenians, especially those who have been less fortunate. Putting our minds and hearts together, we rebranded and made Mer Hayer into a much bigger charitable organization today.

Can you describe the unique features of Mer Hayer platform and how it differentiates from other non-profit organizations?

What differentiates us from other non-profit organizations is that we go on a very personal level with the families we are helping. We do not just extend our arms and our pockets. That’s the easy part!!  Rather, we take the time and  we go to personally meet with them, engage with them, become a part of their everyday lives. We share with them their good days and their bad days. The elderly and the children. We never make them feel different or lesser than us. We are adults with adults and children with children. This way, they will not feel embarrassed about their current situation and can put their problems behind them and focus only on the present.

How has Mer Hayer adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and what impact has it had on the organization?

The COVID-19 Pandemic, as terrible as it was on many fronts, worked in our favour. While everyone was busy dealing with masks and distance, it gave Mer Hayer the chance to get to know our Armenian Families on a much closer level. While the world stayed apart and got more distant from their families and loved ones, we got closer with the families we are helping, even though it was sometimes on zoom or video calls. When there was a lockdown in the city Istanbul and the people couldn’t leave their homes, we took food and their daily essentials to them at their doorsteps. Together, we achieved the unachievable even during the most difficult times.

What role do you see Mer Hayer playing in the future of our Armenian Community?

We want to be the face of assistance for all of the Armenians in need, and be able to reach out and touch everybody. When someone is in need, or finds themselves in dire situation, we want them to think of Mer Hayer as their solution.

Mer Hayer is flexible and always ready. For example, when the earthquake happened in February 2023, nobody expected it. Mer Hayer went above and beyond and reached out to the people outside of Istanbul and provided them with the basic needs they required to go on with their daily lives.

How do people can support Mer Hayer?

The most important step is to believe in the idea and the mission of Mer Hayer. Spreading the word to your family and friendship circles, following our social media accounts and sharing our posts and stories. Raising and spreading awareness to help us reach every one who is in need of our help.

Finally, if you are able to help financially, contact us and extend your arms to help us help our Armenian Families.

Can you share any success stories from Mer Hayer?

I cannot pinpoint one specific success story of Mer Hayer because each story touches us in a unique way. At the end of the day, they all have something in common and that is why they’re reaching out to us. I can say what touches me the most are the families with young children who live in broken down homes, and do not have the means to go out there and work due to their health or their age. Orphaned children also has a very soft spot in our hearts. Helping these children, and seeing their smiles after our mission is complete, is worth every single time and penny spent for us.

What challenges has Mer Hayer faced in scaling its operations and how have you addressed them?

The biggest challenge Mer Hayer has faced is that not many people believe in change. It’s easy to continue a pattern of what is, but if you don’t put your minds together and create change, you will be unable to make the world a better place especially for our Armenian people in need. Another challenge is the lack of support of other similar Armenians foundations. As Armenians, If we all support one another, and if we all unite, we can become bigger and stronger as a people and as a foundation. Given all of this, I would like to point that we are fortunate to have the support of our Mayor, who believes in us and for that we are very grateful.

What can we expect from Mer Hayer in the coming years in terms of new features or expansions?

Our number one principle in life is to give more than we take. We strive to help others without having any sort of agenda. We simply want to make the Armenian community a better place, even through small acts of kindness, which is why we founded Mer Hayer. By believing in ourselves, by uniting and becoming one force, we can make this happen. Until not one Armenian elderly person is left without medication, until not one Father comes home without bread for his children, until not young adult goes to bed hungry, until not one child goes to bed without his/her favorite toy and until not one infant goes to bed without milk.

I was on my way to the Azerbaijani capital Baku on the night President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was taken ill on live television. I arrived towards the morning, and my host Zafer, who came to greet me, directly asked after salutations: “How is the chief?”

Azerbaijanis refer to their state leader Ilham Aliyev in English as “president.” When I visited Azerbaijan seven months following the liberation of Karabakh from invasion, I heard the Azerbaijanis I met refer to Erdoğan as, “our president.” In fact, I mentioned it in this column too. However, I heard the term “chief” used for the first time. I asked Zafer why they call Erdoğan chief. He responded, “Our [love for him is so great that our] heart is not big enough for him. He is at the highest level.”

The people of Azerbaijan truly do have an inexplicable love for the people of Türkiye, and Erdoğan. It is enough to tell anyone, “I am from Türkiye.” They immediately embrace you with their love and sincerity.

We set off towards Karabakh as the sun was rising. Zafer said, “We watched the news all night. We are curious about our chief’s condition.” Indeed, whomever we spoke to all day, the agenda was Erdoğan’s health condition.”

Surely Erdoğan’s contributions towards reclaiming Karabakh are effective in this love. However, there is a great prior “yearning” as well. As known, the two sister countries’ ties weakened for many reasons after Baku was liberated from invasion in 1918 by the Caucasus Islamic Army, led by Nuri Pasha.

The reason ties that became weaker over the years are now stronger than steel and turned into great love and affection is known by all: The Karabakh victory in 2020 against Armenia.

Regardless of whom you speak to in Azerbaijan, you will certainly hear them say: “If it wasn’t for Türkiye if Erdoğan had not made efforts, we could not have taken Karabakh.”

The people of Azerbaijan still remember Nuri Pasha, and the Türkiye that refrained from sending the helicopters requested for civilians’ evacuation in 1992 while Armenians were conducting massacres. They analyze really well the Türkiye that was dealing with its own problem in those years in comparison to the powerful Türkiye that ensured Karabakh’s conquest.

Hence, they are stronger Erdoğan supporters than the electorates in Türkiye. Therefore, the public polls conducted in Azerbaijan present 92 percent support for Erdoğan.

There are 400 kilometers between Baku and Shusha, the last remaining Azerbaijan territory in the Karabakh region. However, travel, for now, is via this exhausting and long route. Meanwhile, the construction of new roads and new cities are underway. Armenia turned the city center and villages of culture and civilization capital Shusha, which it invaded for 28 years, almost into a ghost town. They massacred history. They destroyed the mosques, homes, water fountains, and mansions. They even removed the stones and took them. Directly across Karabakh, there is the city of Khankendi, situated within Armenian borders. It is quite visible. In fact, even the sounds are audible. Khankendi is part of the Karabakh territory that was reclaimed 28 years later. In other words, it is still under Armenian occupation, and “for now” under the watch of Russian Peacekeeping Forces.

Azerbaijan wants the incomplete operation to be concluded through war or without war, and for Khankendi to be returned to Azerbaijan. Some of the officials with whom we met are pointing to 2025 and beyond. However, Armenia has plans as well, which are spread throughout the Azerbaijan side in the form of hearsay.

Such that Armenians associate Karabakh’s defeat to Türkiye and the Bayraktar drones. They are not hiding this, and they feel shamed as a nation. In other words, they have dreams of re-occupying Karabakh. But for them to overcome this hysterical state, Türkiye’s attitude must change. The expectation from Türkiye is a country that does not protect Azerbaijan, two countries that do not run to each other for help whenever they are in trouble, and a Turkish president whom the Azerbaijani president refers to as “big brother,” but rather a Republic of Türkiye that is closer to Armenia than normal. For this to happen, the ruling power in Türkiye must change. This is how Türkiye’s May 14 elections are viewed by the Armenian side. This is not an interpretation, but a matter discussed in both Baku and Shusha. These hearsay are really based on open sources. The analysis in March by Euronews – notorious for its anti-government publications in Türkiye – with the title, “Türkiye’de olası iktidar değişikliği Ermenistan ile ilişkileri nasıl etkiler?” (How will a likely government change in Türkiye affect relations with Armenia?), is only one of the signs.

Occupation-term Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan stated in recent months, “All documents identifying Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan are unacceptable for us.” Harutyunyan’s denial of the defeat is the reason underlying the close combat between the two countries’ troops on the border. Nowadays, the same Harutyunyan’s comments centered around Türkiye’s May 14 elections are being discussed. There is no doubt that the biggest dream is the ruling government in Türkiye will change, and Karabakh will be “returned” to Armenia without war in the post-Erdoğan period. The Armenian front has managed to put this hearsay in circulation. But is it successful? In other words, does it scare and unsettle the Azerbaijani public? We returned to Baku with Ali Muradoğlu and his wife, who reclaimed their destroyed home in Aghdam 28 years later. I opened the subject as we were chatting, and they made me regret ever asking them. They were so overflowed with emotion that they shared the agony of those 28 years and the gratitude of being back on their land with striking comparisons.

They said they made vows for the night of May 14, much like the retaking of Karabakh. Muradoğlu’s wife, who is the Shusha delegate said, “We are the ones who will be celebrating on the night Erdoğan wins. Everybody will see.” I asked, “What if he loses?” She said, “Brother, you must be out of your mind.”

Let’s wait and see on the evening of May 14, whether Azerbaijanis will rejoice, or the Armenian invaders will celebrate? Both countries are waiting.

https://www.yenisafak.com/en/columns/ersin-celik/azerbaijanis-affection-for-chief-erdogan-preparations-for-may-14-elections-3663929