Bulgarian City Stirs Tensions by Changing Place Names

June 24, 2018 By administrator

The current occasion is not the only time Bulgarian nationalists said Turkey is interfering in Bulgarian domestic affairs. They blocked the border crossings between the two countries to stop voters from Turkey to pass and cast their vote in the 2017 elections. Picture: Vassil Donev, EPA.

A city council’s decision to scrap names that sound Turkish or Arabic has drawn complaints from ethnic Turkish parties and the country’s Grand Mufti – who called it racist and intolerant.

Martin Dimitrov,

Bulgaria’s nationalist United Patriots coalition, which is part of the government, has caused tension that may also provoke a dispute with Turkey after its city councillors in Stara Zagora, in central Bulgaria, voted to scrap 838 place names that pointed to Turkish or Arabic origins.

The vote passed with 39 “for”, two “against” and four abstentions, the VMRO party announced, and follows a year-long process in which academics helped to translate the Turkish-Arabic names to Bulgarian ones.

The vote was passed on Thursday despite “pressure on the local administration” from the Turkish consulate in Plovdiv, a VMRO Stara Zagora councillor, Anton Andonov, claimed on TV.

According to him, the consulate had “warned the municipality that the change of names will worsen relations with the city and Turkey”.

The consultate declined to comment to BIRN on the issue.

In parliament, a VMRO MP, Alexander Sidi, accused Turkey of interfering – and called on Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry to “act tough” and take “all available diplomatic measures … to stop Turkey from yet again interfering in Bulgarian domestic politics”.

Sidi added that “the change of names of areas in the Stara Zagora region is a great victory for patriotism and Bulgarianism” and called on other municipalities to follow suit.

Sidi meanwhile added that Bulgaria had never interfered with Turkey when it changed names that were previously Bulgarian in origin, such as Odrin, now Edrine, and Lozengrad, which is now Kirikkale.

The Ottoman Empire ruled Bulgaria for centuries, and ever since independence in the 1870s, Bulgarian nationalists have agitated against signs of the Ottoman Turkish legacy.

In 2014, Ataka party leader Volen Siderov, now head of the parliamentary group of the United Patriots, called on then-President Rosen Plevneliev to change Turkish-Arabic toponyms across the country to Bulgarian ones.

Under the constitution, the President has the power to change the names of towns, villages and places of national importance.

The plea targeted specifically the name of Rila Mountain’s Musala peak, the tallest peak in Bulgaria and the Balkans, which nationalists want changed to St Ivan Rilski.

Similar calls were made in the first months of President Rumen Radev’s mandate. Both presidents rejected the proposal, citing “lack of public consultation and general consensus”.

In 2012, Plovdiv nationalists tried to change the name of a central square in the city, Dzhumaiata. However, centrist GERB party councillors voted against the proposal.

The Stara Zagora decision drew a sharp reaction from the country’s Grand Mufti, and from ethnic Turkish Parties.

The Grand Mufti criticised the decision, calling it “seriously concerning for the Muslim community in Bulgaria”.

His office said it showed that “the level of racism and intolerance towards Muslims and all things connected with them is reaching critical levels.”

A local councillor from the mainly ethnic Turkish Movement of Rights and Freedoms, Tuncay Ozturk, said he was never invited to the committee that decided to change local names.

He compared the move to the so-called “Revival Process” in the last years of the communist regime that targeted Turkish Bulgarians in the 1980s, forcing them to change their names and driving many of them out of the country.

Armenia: Accessibility Mapathon held in Yerevan

October 9, 2016 By administrator

accessibility An open-air mapathon was held in Yerevan today aimed at mapping the city accessible places for people with disability. The event was organized by Kolba Innovation laboratory and “Armenian Camp” NGO attended by beginners and experienced mappers, people with disability and parents with prams.

Varduhi Aramyan, representative of the “Armenian Camp” NGO told Panorama.am that during the mapathon the participants simply take a photo of any wheelchair-friendly place, tag the location and describe why the place is accessible. Thus, the participants help people in wheelchairs or using walking sticks, and even bikers or parents strolling with a pram, to learn about the accessible places without having to leave home.

“Accessible city initiative is aimed mainly at the accessibility of capital Yerevan, considering the ramps and wheelchair lifts under construction by the means of the city budget and all those costs which are used for improving the city accessibility. For that purpose a monitoring of the city ramps have been conducted to develop matcheli.am website as well as the mobile application Matcheli Vayrer to help the users to upload any relevant information and use it,” Aramyan added.

Marina Mkhitaryan, Head of Kolba Innovation Laboratory said: “We see few people with disability around us and in the streets, since they are simply unable to go to street, as some places have steps and stairs that hinder access to the buildings and public spaces or simply the entrance doors are too narrow”.

Argentina Ambassador: There’s no such city in the world like Yerevan

September 20, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN. – Argentina’s Ambassador to Armenia Gonzalo Urriolabeitia is most of all fascinated by capital city Yerevan, Argentina’s Ambassador to Armenia Gonzalo Urriolabeitia told Armenian News – NEWS.am at a seminar on Argentinean tourism, held in DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel in capital city Yerevan today (photos).

According to the Ambassador, he has already managed to visit Armenia’s Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Khor Virap Monastery, Vayots Dzor province, Lake Sevan, as well as walk through Gyumri city, but he confessed the Armenian capital appealed to him most of all. “Finding yourself in Yerevan, you realize there’s no such city in the world. There are cities which are bigger or smaller, more dynamic or calmer, but Yerevan is unique. It has its face, color and character. I like the Republic Square very much. It spreads harmony and warmness,” the Ambassador said.

In his words, despite the fact that the Argentinean and Armenian people are quite different, they have common values: “I mean the family and friendship. Armenians, like Argentineans, are serious about family ties and value friendly relations. This is strongly felt, that’s why I feel at home in Armenia. I receive very warm treatment [here]; they respect my country and always invite me to sit at a table with them.”

Besides, Urriolabeitia said he was pleasantly surprised by how Armenians preserve their identity, struggle for their culture and honor their ancestors.

Syria troops drive ISIL out of ancient city of Palmyra

May 17, 2015 By administrator

Syrian government troops have pushed the ISIL terrorists back from the remains of Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra in the western province of Homs.

Homs provincial governor, Talal Barazi, said on Sunday that the Syrian army units have recaptured the northern districts of Palmyra, known as Tadmor in Arabic, one day after they fell to Takfiri terrorists.

The Takfiri group’s “attack was foiled, and we ousted them from the northern parts of Tadmur,” Barazi said, adding, “The army is still… combing the streets for bombs.”

The Syrian governor added that the government forces managed to kill “more than 130” Takfiri terrorists in the process of flushing them out of the area.

He said the ISIL terrorist group’s attack on Tadmor has forced a large group of people to flee the area.

“We are taking all necessary precautions, and we are working on securing humanitarian aid quickly in fear of mass fleeing from the city,” he added.

Syria’s antiquities chief, Mamoun Abdulkarim, also said on Sunday that the ancient site has not suffered any damage from the Takfiri’s attacks.

“We have good news today, we feel much better,” Mamoun Abdulkarim said, adding, “There was no damage to the ruins, but this does not mean we should not be afraid.”

On Thursday, the UN cultural agency expressed grave concern over the threats posed by the Takfiri ISIL group to Palmyra.

“The site has already suffered four years of conflict, it suffered from looting and represents an irreplaceable treasure for the Syrian people and for the world,” Irina Bokova, the director general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said.

The Takfiri terrorists have razed to the ground a number of mosques in Syria and Iraq, many of them dating back to the early years of the Islamic civilization. The terrorists have also destroyed tombs belonging to revered Shia and Sunni figures.

In April, the ISIL terrorist group released a video showing its members destroying artifacts at Iraq’s northern ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud before blowing up the site.

Also in February, the terrorists smashed ancient statues at the Ninawa museum in Mosul, using sledgehammers and drills.

Source: Presstv

The ghost city of Ani

April 22, 2015 By administrator

On the Turkish side of the Armenian-Turkish frontier lies the spectacular medieval city of Ani. The deserted city is an Armenian cultural and religious heritage symbol. Filip Warwick documented its remains.

No entry

Perched above the Akhurian River in the Turkish province of Kars, the Armenian city of Ani once stood on various East-West trade routes. Ani’s citadel, built in the seventh century, now overlooks the Turkish-Armenian border. The sign warns that entrance to the area is forbidden.

Turkish city Mayor honors memory of Armenian Genocide victims

April 18, 2015 By administrator

During the Municipality Assembly session of the Turkish Van city, the attendees honored the memory of the victims of Armenian Genocide and Anfal campaign (slaughter of Kurds in Iraq).

At the beginning of the 3rd Municipality Assembly session, the Assembly Deputy Chairman Cahit Bozbay and press-secretary of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Ramazan Alver made a statement on Armenian Genocide and Anfal campaign, Van city municipality official website reports.

Cahit Bozbay, the Van city Municipality Assembly Deputy Chairman, stated that they condemn the Armenian Genocide and Anfal campaign and honor the memory of the victims. In his remarks, Bozbay noted that the society should confront the past genocides and massacres. In his turn, Ramazan Alver stated that what happened to Armenians in 1915 is a human tragedy, which lies at the core of genocide. He said that DBP recognized the 1915 events as genocide, noting that the Pope’s statement was the precise definition of the events. “Although 100 years have passed, this human tragedy is still fresh, and the government is trying to paper it over,” the Democratic Regions Party press-secretary noted.

LOS ANGELES: City of LA Severs Ties with Genocide Denier Firm Dick Gephardt; ANCA-WR Leads Effort

February 23, 2015 By administrator

Former Congressman Dick Gephardt’s contract was terminated

Former Democratic House Majority Leader Turned Lobbyist Dick Gephardt Pivoted from Fully Supporting Armenian Genocide Legislation to Taking Turkish Government Money to Block U.S. Recognition Of  Armenian Genocide

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is encouraged that Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is terminating a contract worth over $845,000 with Gephardt Government Relations, a firm which serves as a registered foreign agent for Turkey and a major tool in efforts to deny the Armenian Genocide. Late last year, the ANCA-WR called upon Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to end any ties between the City of Los Angeles and Dick Gephardt, a known genocide denier, including a contract he had with LAWA. A seven-member Board of Airport Commissioners, six of whom were appointed last year by Mayor Eric Garcetti and approved by the Los Angeles City Council, governs LAWA.

“Since leaving Congress where he worked hard to pass Armenian Genocide resolutions, and now becoming a paid lobbyist, Dick Gephardt has gotten rich earning huge sums of money from the Turkish Government to lobby his former colleagues to deny justice for the Armenian Genocide in a complete reversal of his position on the issue. As a Genocide denier, he doesn’t deserve a single dollar from the citizens of Los Angeles, and should have no association with our great city,” said ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian. “We applaud LAWA and City of Los Angeles officials for their principled stand enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against deniers of genocide. LAWA’s action reflects the highest standards of good governance and reinforces the proud standing of Los Angeles as a leader – nationally and internationally – on issues of genocide-prevention and human rights.”

According to U.S. Government documents obtained by the ANCA-WR and cited in support of its request, Gephardt Government Relations had a contract worth over $845,000 with LAWA, which was agreed to in 2012 during the term of former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Meanwhile, since the approval of the contract with LAWA, Gephardt Government Affairs has been drawing over $23,000 a month for its work for the airport while simultaneously representing the interests of the Turkish Government against the interests of the Armenian-American community. Gephardt has made a name for himself on Capitol Hill by trading on his congressional connections for his work on behalf of the Republic of Turkey. As documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (which regulates the lobbying activity of those who advocate on behalf of foreign interests in the United States) reveal, Gephardt himself has had to disclose the fact that he acts on Turkey’s behalf as an ardent opponent of legislative efforts to fully recognize the Armenian Genocide.

New York Times writer and author of “This Town” Mark Leibovich outed Gephardt in 2013 for his hypocrisy on the Armenian Genocide. In a television interview later that year, Bill Moyers asked Leibovich about Gephardt’s stand on the Armenian Genocide. “In the House [of Representatives] he [Gephardt] had supported a resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide of 1915. When he left Congress he was paid about $75,000 a month to oppose the resolution,” Moyers commented. Leibovich responded by sharing, “Yes. I guess the word genocide goes down a little easier at those rates.” Also in 2013, Christopher Buckley, the son of William F. Buckley, wrote a review of “This Town” in The New York Times in which he cited Gephardt’s genocide denial efforts. “There are a number of sanctimonious standout “formers” in Leibovich’s Congressional hall of shame, but just to name a few exemplars who gleefully inhabit ethical no-worry zones and execute brisk 180-¬degree switcheroos on any issue, including the Armenian genocide, so long as it pays: Dick Gephardt…”

In his most recent anti-Armenian actions on Capitol Hill, Dick Gephardt aggresively lobbied against H.R. 4347 in the 113th Congress, a House measure to return Christian churches in Turkey to their rightful owners. Last year he also did the bidding of his lucrative Turkish Government client by fighting against a U.S. Senate resolution on the Armenian Genocide authored by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Despite Gephardt’s opposition, the Armenian Genocide bill advanced by Senator Menendez in April of last year was ultimately adopted by the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a vote of 12 to 5.

The move by the ANCA-WR to seek termination of LAWA’s contract with Gephardt coincided with the launch of a nationwide campaign by a coalition of Armenian American groups, including the ANCA, to pressure Gephardt, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (Dickstein Shapiro, LLC), Greenberg Traurig,  Alpaytac, and LB International to stop advancing the Turkish  Government’s Armenian Genocide denial agenda or face public scrutiny  and protest. The effort was launched on January 29th, with over 200  letters sent to Turkey’s lobbying firms and the top businesses, universities, and NGOs who use their services, giving them until February 28th to drop their association with Turkey’s genocide denial or end their relationships with these public relations firms. Among those receiving letters were PepsiCo, TIME Inc., Amazon, and the Chrysler Corporation, in addition to many others.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the  largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination  with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

The Ancient Ghost City of Ani

January 24, 2015 By administrator

The Monastery of the Hripsimian Virgins, in the ruins of the city of Ani, Turkey, on April 19, 2011. The monastery is thought to have been built between 1000 and 1200 AD, near the height of Ani’s importance and strength. The Akhurian River below acts as the modern border between Turkey and Armenia.

Situated on the eastern border of Turkey, across the Akhurian River from Armenia, lies the empty, crumbling site of the once-great metropolis of Ani, known as “the city of a thousand and one churches.” Founded more than 1,600 years ago, Ani was situated on several trade routes, and grew to become a walled city of more than 100,000 residents by the 11th century. In the centuries that followed, Ani and the surrounding region were conquered hundreds of times — Byzantine emperors, Ottoman Turks, Armenians, nomadic Kurds, Georgians, and Russians claimed and reclaimed the area, repeatedly attacking and chasing out residents. By the 1300s, Ani was in steep decline, and it was completely abandoned by the 1700s. Rediscovered and romanticized in the 19th century, the city had a brief moment of fame, only to be closed off by World War I and the later events of the Armenian Genocide that left the region an empty, militarized no-man’s land. The ruins crumbled at the hands of many: looters, vandals, Turks who tried to eliminate Armenian history from the area, clumsy archaeological digs, well-intentioned people who made poor attempts at restoration, and Mother Nature herself. Restrictions on travel to Ani have eased in the past decade, allowing the following photos to be taken. [27 photos]

Source: the atlantic