Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Jan 6 2014
Being an Armenian in the capital of the bureaucracy (2)
A view of a pre-1915 Ulus, Ankara
6 January 2014 /EMÝNE DOLMACI, ANKARA
Picking up where I left off yesterday, I will share information on a
new book by the Hrant Dink Foundation titled, “Sessizliðin Sesi 3,
Ankaralý Ermeniler Konuþuyor” (Sounds of Silence 3, Armenians of
Ankara Speak), which sheds light on Turkish-Armenians’ socio-cultural
lives in Ankara.
The book comprises interviews conducted with Turkish- Armenians living
in Ankara. Ferda Balancar, who directed the group conducting these
interviews with Turkish-Armenians in Ankara, answers some questions.
What do they [Armenians] demand in order to confront the past?
First of all, they demand a sincere and heartfelt apology. They want
Turkish people to understand the sorrows Armenians have gone through
not only during the 1915 incidents, but also during the nation-state
process, without blaming each other.
What are their expectations of the future compared to other Turkish citizens?
In fact, they do not have different demands. They want to live in a
democratic country that respects human rights. They think they would
have a more comfortable and happy life in such a country.
Considering the current development level in the country in terms of
human rights and freedoms, do they feel secure?
They are also aware of the fact that Turkey has made great progress in
terms of fundamental rights and freedoms in recent years, but they do
not feel secure. Because they are concerned that everything may be
reversed.
One of the Armenians you interviewed indicated the declining
population of Armenians in Turkey and said, “We are only a few people.
What will happen 70 years later?” Do you have an answer for this
question?
The Armenian population in Turkey is about 70,000 or 80,000. If they
continue to have mixed marriages and migrate abroad, there will not be
an Armenian community in 50 years.
Some of the witnesses interviewed for the book share their sentiments
on being an Armenian in Turkey’s capital.
Witness 1: ‘I never liked the sense of belonging’
I would have gone both to the Political Science Faculty and the School
of Press and Broadcasting at Ankara University. But I did not want to
go into political science because I thought that I would never be an
ambassador, governor or bureaucrat because of my Armenian identity. If
you are an Armenian, the system allocates a very small space for you.
In 1968, when the street skirmishes between rightist and leftist
groups were fueled, I went to the School of Press and Broadcasting at
Ankara University. I never got involved in the clashes between
rightist and leftist groups, because for both sides, I was irrelevant.
And no one wanted to lure me to their sides. I have never liked the
sense of belonging. I have never developed a sense of belonging to any
group.
Witness 2: ‘Hrant Dink was expressing my feelings’
Hrant Dink wanted to live as a Turkish-Armenian and serve his country.
He was expressing my feelings as well. Hrant Dink had a huge influence
on me. On the day when I learned that he died, I was devastated. Will
I be a Turk when I say I am a Turk? A person cannot change their
ethnicity, but I am a good person from Turkey. I carried the Turkish
flag and read the right poem on Turkish national days. I get emotional
when I hear our national anthem or see our flag. But I do not want to
see flags and Atatürk posters everywhere. I am ready and already doing
my best to unite the common denominators of being from Turkey and
working the for the sake of this country.
Witness 3: ‘I want to live like a first-class citizen of this country’
My uncle fell in love with a Greek girl. They ran away together and
settled in the US. They had five daughters. He opened a tailor’s shop
and he was earning good money. They had a good life. Both my uncle and
his wife passed away five or six years ago. Although he had good life,
he always used to say: “I wish hadn’t left my country.” He went to the
US, and had a more comfortable life, but he always longed for these
lands. I do not want to be like my uncle. I want to live in this
country as a first-class and equal citizen.
Witness 4: ‘I teach Turkish to my grandchildren in Austria’
When I was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria, the
secretary-general of the party asked me if I had been oppressed while
living in Turkey because of my Armenian ethnicity. This was the first
time I understood discrimination. I told her I had never been
discriminated against, which was the truth. I am an Armenian, but I am
from Turkey. I love our country. Although I have now lived in Austria
since 1979, I follow every development in Turkey, and I teach Turkish
to my grandchildren in Austria.
Witness 5: ‘An era has ended and a new era has started’
What has changed so that we can discuss the Armenian issue more
freely? I believe the coup cases have put an end to an era and have
started a new one. Negotiation is required while trying to do
something. For example, while talking about the reopening of the Halki
Seminary on the island of Heybeliada near Ýstanbul, the issue of
reopening Turkish mosques in Greece should not be ignored. Allowing
worship once a year at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, on the
Akdamar island in Lake Van, is a symbolic but very important and
positive move. There are very positive developments, and you cannot
ignore them.
Witness 6: ‘Since the Armenians have gone, prosperity has been gone too’
In the recent years, the 1915 incidents and the sorrows Armenians have
gone through are being discussed. Unlike in the past, the media also
extensively covers this issue. However, extensively discussing these
issues has both positive and negative impacts. It is not a good thing
to twist a knife in that wound. I am cautious about this issue. Look
at what happened to Hrant Dink. He was working for the sake of this
country. He wanted to introduce peace between Turks and Armenians. I
do not understand why the people of this country have gone through
great pains. Both sides have suffered. There is a saying in Anatolia
that says, “Since the Armenians have gone, prosperity has gone too.”
But the number of people who think killing Armenians or forcing them
to migrate was a good thing is not small.
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-335876-being-an-armenian-in-the-capital-of-the-bureaucracy-2.html