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ARMENIANS CALL ON TURKISH JOURNALIST TO RETURN CHURCH
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2012/09/27/sevenchurches/
27.09.12
Members of the Armenian community in Turkey have called on journalist
and Haberturk daily Editor-in-Chief Fatih Altaylı to return a church
in Van he inherited from his grandfather, after Van's Directorate of
Cultural Affairs inquired as to the owner of the historic church,
known as "Seven Churches," in the village of Yukarı Bakraclı,
during a restoration project, Today's Zaman.
Stating that the church had belonged to his grandfather, Altaylı
commented: "No one has asked me anything on the matter. I would give
any necessary authorization [to the state]. If the state asked me to
sell it, I'd sell it. What am I going to do with a church?" He also
added that he does not have sufficient financial resources to restore
and maintain the church privately.
Altaylı's ownership of the ruined Armenian church has sparked a debate
in social media, particularly among Armenians and liberals. Activist
Hayko Bagdat, who started a campaign over social media calling on
Altaylı to return the church, told Today's Zaman,
"Because Altaylı is a known figure in society he can provide a window
of opportunity to discuss what happened to the properties of Armenians
who are no longer [living in the region]."
Bagdat was critical of Altaylı's remarks regarding the sale of the
church, stating, "Whose church are you selling to whom?" He called
on the public to examine how the property of Armenians who left these
lands in the past has been redistributed.
Garo Paylan, an activist working for an Armenian civil society
organization, told Today's Zaman that there are 2,000 Armenian churches
left in Turkey today, with 1,500 of them in villages and small
towns and badly in need of restoration. "The Seven Churches, which
is now owned by Altaylı, is one of the rare, historical churches in
relatively good shape," stated Paylan, adding, "None of the original
owners of these properties are alive."
Describing the news of Altaylı's ownership of an Armenian church
as a "striking example and tool to make us talk about the transfer
of properties in Anatolia, which is hardly talked about in Turkey,"
Paylan hopes to raise awareness among the public on the transfer of
Armenian properties without the consent of the original owners.
Referring to the TaÅ~_oran Armenian Church in Malatya, now owned by the
state, Paylan said: "No foundation able to inherit is left for this
church. No one can claim it, despite the government's step [towards
returning the properties of minorities]. But if the state wants to,
it can be returned to the Patriarchy, or other Armenian institutions."
Bagdat noted that a campaign to collect signatures calling on Altaylı
to return the church has been initiated.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2012/09/27/sevenchurches/
27.09.12
Members of the Armenian community in Turkey have called on journalist
and Haberturk daily Editor-in-Chief Fatih Altaylı to return a church
in Van he inherited from his grandfather, after Van's Directorate of
Cultural Affairs inquired as to the owner of the historic church,
known as "Seven Churches," in the village of Yukarı Bakraclı,
during a restoration project, Today's Zaman.
Stating that the church had belonged to his grandfather, Altaylı
commented: "No one has asked me anything on the matter. I would give
any necessary authorization [to the state]. If the state asked me to
sell it, I'd sell it. What am I going to do with a church?" He also
added that he does not have sufficient financial resources to restore
and maintain the church privately.
Altaylı's ownership of the ruined Armenian church has sparked a debate
in social media, particularly among Armenians and liberals. Activist
Hayko Bagdat, who started a campaign over social media calling on
Altaylı to return the church, told Today's Zaman,
"Because Altaylı is a known figure in society he can provide a window
of opportunity to discuss what happened to the properties of Armenians
who are no longer [living in the region]."
Bagdat was critical of Altaylı's remarks regarding the sale of the
church, stating, "Whose church are you selling to whom?" He called
on the public to examine how the property of Armenians who left these
lands in the past has been redistributed.
Garo Paylan, an activist working for an Armenian civil society
organization, told Today's Zaman that there are 2,000 Armenian churches
left in Turkey today, with 1,500 of them in villages and small
towns and badly in need of restoration. "The Seven Churches, which
is now owned by Altaylı, is one of the rare, historical churches in
relatively good shape," stated Paylan, adding, "None of the original
owners of these properties are alive."
Describing the news of Altaylı's ownership of an Armenian church
as a "striking example and tool to make us talk about the transfer
of properties in Anatolia, which is hardly talked about in Turkey,"
Paylan hopes to raise awareness among the public on the transfer of
Armenian properties without the consent of the original owners.
Referring to the TaÅ~_oran Armenian Church in Malatya, now owned by the
state, Paylan said: "No foundation able to inherit is left for this
church. No one can claim it, despite the government's step [towards
returning the properties of minorities]. But if the state wants to,
it can be returned to the Patriarchy, or other Armenian institutions."
Bagdat noted that a campaign to collect signatures calling on Altaylı
to return the church has been initiated.