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  • ANKARA: Artists against hatred, animosity

    Hurriyet
    01.09.2009

    Artists against hatred, animosity



    ISTANBUL - Arto Tunçboyacýyan, a famous musician and composer of
    Armenian origin who lives in the United States, and Yaþar Kurt, who
    learned of his Armenian origins after the age of 40, have produced an
    album in Armenia giving messages 'against hate, animosity'

    Artists against hatred, animosityThe paths of two Anatolian musicians
    crossed at Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. One is Arto Tunçboyacýyan,
    world famous musician and composer from the United States, and the
    other is Yaþar Kurt, one of Turkey's most important musicians who
    learned from his great-uncle that he was of Armenian origin at the age
    of 40.

    Kurt, who says it was a shock for him to learn the truth about his
    identity, went to Armenia in 2007 upon the invitation of Tunçboyacýyan
    to satisfy his curiosity about his culture, which he knew nothing
    about. At that time, the assassination of Hrant Dink, editor in chief
    for the Agos newspaper, occurred in Turkey. Having the sensitivity of
    a musician, Tunçboyacýyan composed "Nefrete ve Kine Karþý" (Against
    Hatred and Animosity) and decided to start a joint project with Kurt
    as soon as they came together.

    Tunçboyacýyan and Kurt have started recording with the Armenian Naval
    Band, which Tunçboyacýyan had formed a decade ago with other Armenian
    musicians, and completed an album that included the mentioned song.
    Tunçboyacýyan sang in Armenian and Kurt in Turkish. The duo recorded
    the album in a short period but met problems when they decided to
    release the album in Turkey.

    Although they were covering for all the expenses, record companies
    were not into the idea of releasing "Nefret ve Kine Karþý," according
    to Kurt. The duo did not give up hope and finally signed a contract
    with Arma Müzik. The album, which raises a voice against hatred and
    animosity in two languages, will be released in the coming days.

    Kurt spoke to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review and expressed
    his feelings. "Big pains were experienced in the past. Those pains
    influenced my life. I learned about my Armenian roots when I was
    40. If we honestly want to reach the truth, as Turks and Armenians, we
    must eliminate hatred and animosity."

    Confession of a great-uncle
    "We are from Rize, actually. My family always had considerable
    differences in their ways and traditions. Since my childhood I have
    found myself asking my family, 'Who are we?'" Kurt
    said. "Unfortunately, my questions remained unanswered."

    Kurt said he was a fan of Tunçboyacýyan before they met in
    <http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/istanbul/& gt; Istanbul. "Arto's accent
    was so similar to my father's. At first we joked about maybe being
    relatives but then the jokes increased my curiosity about my identity
    once again."

    Meanwhile, Kurt visited his great-uncle, who was in his 90s, and
    finally found answers about his identity, learning that his family was
    of Armenian origin.

    His great-uncle summarized the matter with these words: "Actually our
    roots are from Van but during the events experienced back then our
    family were forced to migrate to the Black Sea. Some died on the
    way. Only our great-great grandfather could have managed to survive
    and he founded the family. But he had always lived by hiding his
    identity."

    Although he received the answers he was looking for at the age of 40,
    the answers rocked Kurt at the core: "Identity and belonging are about
    knowing yourself; I have been kept away from that awareness."

    Kurt said and described his meeting with Tunçboyacýyan as a great deal
    of luck. Kurt indicated the extreme importance of them completing such
    a big project in Armenia. "Neither of us were born in Armenia, our
    roots are Anatolian but we have done this from Armenia. Making this
    call from Armenia is as important as making it from Turkey."

    Meaning of the rose on the album cover
    Tunçboyacýyan and Kurt designed an interesting cover for the album,
    featuring a rose on it. "This rose represents the flower of peace the
    two nations should be offering to each other," said Kurt, concluding
    by expressing his opinions on President Abdullah Gül's visit to
    Armenia in September. "I thank Mr. Gül very much on that matter. This
    step was extremely necessary for ending the hatred and animosity and
    for the future of both nations."


    http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/englis h/lifestyle/10734147.asp?scr=3D1

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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