Gagrule.net

Gagrule.net News, Views, Interviews worldwide

Istanbul-Armenian writer Sevan Nisanyan: Erdogan’s regime cannot last long

By

Istanbul-Armenian writer Sevan Nisanyan: Erdogan's regime cannot last long Turkey is a terrible prison everybody wants to escape, well-known Istanbul Armenian writer Sevan Nisanyan told Arevelk news agency.

“Everyone is imprisoned there. I do not know whether they think like me or not, but when you speak to people, the main part will say that it is not a place to live. Turkey is a terrible prison,” he noted, adding that many people want to leave the country, but there are difficulties: they do not know the language, they do not have money, they have no idea where to go and what to do.

“But when they find a way, they will definitely go to Europe, Australia, Africa, Armenia and Syria,” he said.

Speaking about Turkey’s ruling regime, Nisanyan emphasized that Erdogan’s regime cannot last long. According to him, the current government will leave eventually, and it will be very difficult to restore the country’s collapsed system.

Nishanyan expressed hope that the Turkish authorities will hardly make any attempt to return him: “They wanted me to leave. They told me not to speak, but I’ll speak.”

With regard to Turkish prisons, Nisanyan noted that choice of food was very limited, while the area was incredibly small. Prisons were very crowded, that is why prisoners are exposed to double stress

Turkey: I am in Armenia because I thought about future: Istanbul-Armenian vows to revive killed brother’s memory

By

sevak-assasinatThe family of Sevak Shahin Balikchi (Balikchrian), the young Turkish-Armenian soldier killed five years ago just days before ending his service, left Istanbul several months ago to settle in Armenia.
Sevak’s sister, Lerna Balikchrian Ozder, and parents, Ani and Karpis Balikchrian, are widely known as the family of Sevak who was killed on the April 24 Genocde commemoration day.

After the assassination of Hrant Dink, the editor-in-chief of the Istanbul-based Armenian weekly Agos, Sevak was the second Armenian martyr to fall prey to the Turkish xenophobia. Despite the Turkish authorities’ repeated claims that his death in a gendarmerie military unit was a tragic accident, Sevak’s parents are sure that it was a murder committed against the background of ethnic hatred.

An Armenian columnist for T24.com.tr, Raffi Hermon Araks, has shared the story of Balikrchians’ tragedy and their decision to move to Armenia to revive the memory of the lost son and brother.
Below are excerpts from her conversation with the late soldier’s sister:
“I had never been to Armenia. I wasn’t closely familiar with Armenia or the Armenian culture. I had a dream to open a restaurant in Istanbul, which I could really do, but after what story with Sevak … After my son’s birth … I started thinking about the future. I was beset by fear. I couldn’t stay on … [I could go anywhere-] the United States, Canada or any country in Europe. But after Sevak’s death I wasn’t able to come to my senses …
“So my husband said, ‘time has now arrived’ and left his job to come to Armenia. He later returned to stay here a week and then go to Armenia again. Upon his return, he said, ‘Why not buy a house in Armenia.’”
“… A lot changed in my mind. So I am now thinking about the reasons I came to Armenia. Sevak … As I set down my foot at the airport in Armenia … I cannot explain my emotions. Upon seeing those advertising banners in Armenian letters … It seemed to be an absolutely different kind of world.”

“… Sevak was fond of cooking and eating dinners and salads. My mother and grandmother would always give me instructions about food. My dad would cook sweet things, and guests would come to our place to taste them. But all that was crushed all of a sudden … Yes, it was like a stab. I wasn’t able to do anything for five years. And five years after Sevak’s death, I found the formula of killing that pain. Did they want to murder him? If that’s really true, I will do something else to make Sevak live forever…
“Listen to the voice that has been inside you to this day. You have always turned a deaf ear to that. See the coming light, I beg you! Come to Armenia …!”

Armenian member of Turkish parliament: Turkey is living dark days

By

Garo Paylan, Istanbul-Armenian member of the Turkish Parliament,

Garo Paylan, Istanbul-Armenian member of the Turkish Parliament,

Garo Paylan, Istanbul-Armenian member of the Turkish Parliament, met with the Armenian community in Los Angeles, reported the Voice of America Armenian service.

Paylan presented his views on Armenian-Turkish relations, and democracy in Turkey.

He noted that he wanted to show the Turks that there were Armenian MPs—of the Turkish parliament—whose dream was to live together in peace.

In his words, although Turks have always denied the fact of Armenian Genocide, the real facts need to be shown. He added that Turkey’s only salvation is to become a democratic country.

As per Paylan, Turkey is living dark days, and the existing elements of democracy are disappearing from the country. But to be a democratic country, according to the Armenian MP, Armenians, Kurds, and Turks need to be equal in Turkey.

Garo Paylan stressed that Turkey will recognize the events of 1915 as genocide solely if it becomes a democratic country.

Armenian singer’s Sibil album named year’s 3rd best in Turkey

By

sibel singerProminent Turkish music buff Naim Dilmener has included the album entitled Ser (Love), by famous Istanbul-Armenian singer Sibil Pektorosoglu, among the best albums of the year in Turkey.

Dilmener posted, in his Twitter account, his choices for Turkey’s best and worst songs and music albums for 2014.

Accordingly, Dilmener named Ser as the third best album of the year.

This album was released in Turkey on February 11, and on February 15, the music video for “Ays Kisher (Tonight),” which is a song from this album, was aired on CNN Turk.