NOBEL LAUREATE PAMUK SUPPORTS GEZI PARK PROTESTS IN TURKEY

18:41 * 05.06.13

Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk has published a written statement supporting
the ongoing protests in Gezi Park.

Pamuk started his statement with a memory he had told in his book
Istanbul. Pamuk said in Niþantaþý, where he grew up, there was a walnut
tree and his family spent a night near the tree when the municipality
decided to cut it down. Pamuk said this united his family in a way
and added that Taksim was the walnut tree of Istanbul and should be
protected. Pamuk said in the 1970s he also attended May 1 celebrations
in Taksim Square. “The government forbade the protests this year on
May 1. On the other hand, the government decided to make Gezi Park
an ordinary shopping mall.” All of these changes were made without
asking Istanbul locals, which is very wrong, the writer said.

“Seeing people not giving up their memories and also their right to
have a political protest is giving me hope,” he added.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress