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Difficult to be Armenian in Turkey, Agos Editor says
September 25, 2010 | 12:32
In an interview with one of the Turkish TV channels Rober Koptas, the
Editor of Agos bilingual Armenian-Turkish daily, spoke of difficulties
of being an Armenian in Turkey.
He noted that his relatives called him Rober, though his passport name
is Murad, as his father did not want his son to have difficulties
because of his name, while serving in the army. Speaking about school
years, Rober mentioned that he did not want to sing Turkey's anthem.
According to the Agos editor, it is very difficult to be an Armenian
in Turkey. The word `Armenian' is used as swearing. One of his
friends, who is not Armenian, was not allowed to take a taxi, as he is
working for Agos newspaper, Rober stressed.
Rober Koptas also commented on the religious service in Surb Khach
church on Akhtamar Island, saying that it should remain a church, not
a museum. The Agos editor stressed that he believes in sincerity of
authorities' Armenian initiatives.
Turkey treads cautiously on question of Armenian past
By Jonathan Head
BBC News, Van, Turkey
*The Turkish government wants to improve relations with Armenia, but is it
ready to leave behind decades of nationalist dogma and fully confront the
country's past?*
>From the vantage point of the ancient castle, perched atop a rocky outcrop,
you can see the whole of the city of Van, spread out between the dazzling
blue of the great lake and the jagged mountains to the east.
It is a featureless sprawl of ugly apartment blocks that you might find in
any provincial Turkish city. Nothing suggests that it has any history going
back more than a few decades.
If you then look to the south, directly beneath you is an area of rough
grass, criss-crossed by a maze of paths, with just a few fragments of
buildings still visible. The story of how the Armenians vanished is not discussed
September 25, 2010 | 12:32
In an interview with one of the Turkish TV channels Rober Koptas, the
Editor of Agos bilingual Armenian-Turkish daily, spoke of difficulties
of being an Armenian in Turkey.
He noted that his relatives called him Rober, though his passport name
is Murad, as his father did not want his son to have difficulties
because of his name, while serving in the army. Speaking about school
years, Rober mentioned that he did not want to sing Turkey's anthem.
According to the Agos editor, it is very difficult to be an Armenian
in Turkey. The word `Armenian' is used as swearing. One of his
friends, who is not Armenian, was not allowed to take a taxi, as he is
working for Agos newspaper, Rober stressed.
Rober Koptas also commented on the religious service in Surb Khach
church on Akhtamar Island, saying that it should remain a church, not
a museum. The Agos editor stressed that he believes in sincerity of
authorities' Armenian initiatives.
Turkey treads cautiously on question of Armenian past
By Jonathan Head
BBC News, Van, Turkey
*The Turkish government wants to improve relations with Armenia, but is it
ready to leave behind decades of nationalist dogma and fully confront the
country's past?*
>From the vantage point of the ancient castle, perched atop a rocky outcrop,
you can see the whole of the city of Van, spread out between the dazzling
blue of the great lake and the jagged mountains to the east.
It is a featureless sprawl of ugly apartment blocks that you might find in
any provincial Turkish city. Nothing suggests that it has any history going
back more than a few decades.
If you then look to the south, directly beneath you is an area of rough
grass, criss-crossed by a maze of paths, with just a few fragments of
buildings still visible. The story of how the Armenians vanished is not discussed
in Van today
This is Old Van, a city that, until its destruction, had been continuously
inhabited for more than 3,000 years.
And a large part of the people who inhabited it were Armenians - it had once
been at the heart of a great Armenian empire.
Today there are almost none.
The only two buildings still standing there are mosques. Of the dozen or so
churches, there is no trace.
The story of how the Armenians vanished from their historic homeland is not
discussed in Van today.
The city proudly describes the waves of invaders who have passed through -
Parthians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Seljuk Turks - but the Armenians who
dominated the city just a century ago are hardly mentioned.
This is not surprising really, when you consider that the Ottoman Empire's
biggest minority was driven out of Anatolia in 1915 on ghastly death
marches.
At least half, maybe much more, of the original population died, in
This is Old Van, a city that, until its destruction, had been continuously
inhabited for more than 3,000 years.
And a large part of the people who inhabited it were Armenians - it had once
been at the heart of a great Armenian empire.
Today there are almost none.
The only two buildings still standing there are mosques. Of the dozen or so
churches, there is no trace.
The story of how the Armenians vanished from their historic homeland is not
discussed in Van today.
The city proudly describes the waves of invaders who have passed through -
Parthians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Seljuk Turks - but the Armenians who
dominated the city just a century ago are hardly mentioned.
This is not surprising really, when you consider that the Ottoman Empire's
biggest minority was driven out of Anatolia in 1915 on ghastly death
marches.
At least half, maybe much more, of the original population died, in
what many historians call the modern world's first genocide.
Today the inhabitants of Van are mainly Kurdish, some probably the
descendants of those who killed and seized the property of the Armenians.
The current Turkish government is the first one to seek some kind of
accommodation with its Armenian past.
It needs to if it is to fulfil its ambition to be a regional power and to be
part of the European Union.
That is why it permitted a Christian service to take place last Sunday in
the beautiful little church on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van.
It is the only historic Armenian building still standing in eastern
Anatolia, and among the most holy for Armenian Christians.
*'Bittersweet'*
I happened to be in a bus with an Armenian choir from Istanbul who had been
invited to sing at the service.
They were being treated as VIPs - the municipal government wanted them to
feel welcome - and we were being given a tour. About 1,000 Armenians came
Today the inhabitants of Van are mainly Kurdish, some probably the
descendants of those who killed and seized the property of the Armenians.
The current Turkish government is the first one to seek some kind of
accommodation with its Armenian past.
It needs to if it is to fulfil its ambition to be a regional power and to be
part of the European Union.
That is why it permitted a Christian service to take place last Sunday in
the beautiful little church on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van.
It is the only historic Armenian building still standing in eastern
Anatolia, and among the most holy for Armenian Christians.
*'Bittersweet'*
I happened to be in a bus with an Armenian choir from Istanbul who had been
invited to sing at the service.
They were being treated as VIPs - the municipal government wanted them to
feel welcome - and we were being given a tour. About 1,000 Armenians came
to the rocky island for the service
Our guide was a young local woman called Fatima. She had won over her
Our guide was a young local woman called Fatima. She had won over her
guests by singing some lovely renditions of old Armenian ballads.
But when she pointed out the wasteland that is the old city today, all she
could say was that the Armenians had, in her words, "disappeared".
For a few moments the bus went quiet then everyone broke into song again.
None of the Istanbul Armenians wanted to talk about the past. They are a
very small community, acutely aware of their vulnerability.
The Armenians who had come from the United States for the service were more
forthright.
"It's bittersweet, coming here," said one man whose grandparents had fled
from Van during the killings.
"We're like parallel cultures, we even look the same," he said, "only we
hate each other."
He said there had been strong pressure on him from other American Armenians
not to come - they saw the one-off church service as a cynical publicity
stunt by Turkey.
At times on Sunday it did seem like that.
The local government had invited an army of journalists to witness the
service who threatened to overwhelm the congregation. It also invited local
Muslims, who talked and laughed all the way through it.
No-one made any effort to respect the sanctity of the ceremony.
A local boatman told me he was puzzled by the way they were praying.
But when she pointed out the wasteland that is the old city today, all she
could say was that the Armenians had, in her words, "disappeared".
For a few moments the bus went quiet then everyone broke into song again.
None of the Istanbul Armenians wanted to talk about the past. They are a
very small community, acutely aware of their vulnerability.
The Armenians who had come from the United States for the service were more
forthright.
"It's bittersweet, coming here," said one man whose grandparents had fled
from Van during the killings.
"We're like parallel cultures, we even look the same," he said, "only we
hate each other."
He said there had been strong pressure on him from other American Armenians
not to come - they saw the one-off church service as a cynical publicity
stunt by Turkey.
At times on Sunday it did seem like that.
The local government had invited an army of journalists to witness the
service who threatened to overwhelm the congregation. It also invited local
Muslims, who talked and laughed all the way through it.
No-one made any effort to respect the sanctity of the ceremony.
A local boatman told me he was puzzled by the way they were praying.
He had never seen a Christian service before. "And why are they crying,"
he asked? He had no idea.
*No discussion*
The Turkish government still fiercely defends its version of history - that
what happened in 1915 was a tragedy, not a war crime.
In Van, it points out, the Armenians took up arms. For a while they
controlled the city and later they helped enemy Russian forces to occupy it.
Today, most of the population of Van are Kurds
In the chaos of war, it says, large numbers of Turkish Muslims also died.
But the annihilation of the Armenians is simply blanked out of the
*No discussion*
The Turkish government still fiercely defends its version of history - that
what happened in 1915 was a tragedy, not a war crime.
In Van, it points out, the Armenians took up arms. For a while they
controlled the city and later they helped enemy Russian forces to occupy it.
Today, most of the population of Van are Kurds
In the chaos of war, it says, large numbers of Turkish Muslims also died.
But the annihilation of the Armenians is simply blanked out of the
history taught in Turkish schools.
There is no discussion, and real dangers await those who try to start
There is no discussion, and real dangers await those who try to start
one.
It is less than four years since the Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was
murdered in Istanbul by a young nationalist for calling for just such a
debate.
"This church service is pointless if the Turkish government only wants
It is less than four years since the Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was
murdered in Istanbul by a young nationalist for calling for just such a
debate.
"This church service is pointless if the Turkish government only wants
to appear more tolerant," one Armenian journalist told me.
"It has to change the mindset of the people. Make them confront their
"It has to change the mindset of the people. Make them confront their
past."
In the dreary avenues of modern-day Van, that process has not started yet.
Its history is still buried under layers of concrete and by Turkey's
uncompromising nationalist dogma.
*How to listen to: From Our Own Correspondent*
Radio 4: Saturdays, 1130. Second weekly edition on Thursdays, 1100 (some
weeks only)
In the dreary avenues of modern-day Van, that process has not started yet.
Its history is still buried under layers of concrete and by Turkey's
uncompromising nationalist dogma.
*How to listen to: From Our Own Correspondent*
Radio 4: Saturdays, 1130. Second weekly edition on Thursdays, 1100 (some
weeks only)
Akhtamar mass spurs search for Armenian legacy in Turkey's East:
Hurriyet Daily News
10:52 - 25.09.10
The historic religious ceremony held September 19 at Sourb Khach
Church (Saint Cross) in eastern Turkey will have long-lasting effects,
according to Armenians who anticipate more churches being restored and
more people reclaiming their ethnic identities, writes Hurriet Daily
News.
"Families from all corners of Turkey are coming to us in search of the
roots of their families. Members of my own family have changed their
identity cards to be listed as Christian," Archbishop Aram Atesyan,
Deputy Patriarch of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, told the
paper. "Many people who had 'Muslim' written in their identity cards
are confessing that they are hidden Armenians."
Following the Armenian Genocide in the waning days of the Ottoman
Empire, many of those remaining in the area changed their names and
assumed identities as Kurdish Muslims. According to Atesyan, the
current process of democratization in Turkey is slowly eliminating the
fears that led people to take such measures.
That process had perhaps its most dramatic manifestation to date in
the rite at the Sourb Khach on Akhtamar Island near the eastern
province of Van, the first such service to be held there in 95 years.
Though that church has been the subject of intense media focus, it is
only one of several Armenian monasteries and churches in the province,
where a number of villages are still known by their Armenian names.
Local residents say many of the buildings have been demolished,
especially since the mid-1990s.
In the village of Nareg, 40 kilometers north of Van, only a few
stones remain of the Naregevank Monastery complex, which a
man who identified himself only as Mahmet said the village people
were ordered to demolish in the 1990s. Homes have been built on
the former site in Nareg, a village named for the 10th-century
prominent philosopher and poet St. Grigor Narekatsi. Mahmet, 95,
who said he is of Kurdish origin, also claimed the governor's
building in the center of Van was built from the stones taken from
the Naregevank Monastery.
Varakavank Monastery to be restored
The Varakavank Monastery in the village of Yukari Bakracli, also known
as "seven churches," is little better off than its counterpart in
Nareg. Only one floor is left of the once-impressive monastery, built
in 1003 by the Armenian King Senekerim. All of the invaluable
manuscripts once held in its library have been lost.
The Van Governor's Office told the Daily News in August that the
monastery will soon be restored, as will the Ktuts Monastery on
Varakavank Monastery to be restored
The Varakavank Monastery in the village of Yukari Bakracli, also known
as "seven churches," is little better off than its counterpart in
Nareg. Only one floor is left of the once-impressive monastery, built
in 1003 by the Armenian King Senekerim. All of the invaluable
manuscripts once held in its library have been lost.
The Van Governor's Office told the Daily News in August that the
monastery will soon be restored, as will the Ktuts Monastery on
Lake Van's Carpanak Island, part of efforts to turn Van into the
culture and tourism center of Turkey's East.
The owner and guardian of the now-defunct Varakavank Monastery is an
Armenian who hides his ethnic identity. Kerim avoided revealing his
family name and introduced himself as a Kurdish Muslim. Kerim said
when his father died he left the monastery's land to him and said he
should protect the church at any cost, in the name of Christ.
"His wish surprised me. We were Muslim and I did not understand
The owner and guardian of the now-defunct Varakavank Monastery is an
Armenian who hides his ethnic identity. Kerim avoided revealing his
family name and introduced himself as a Kurdish Muslim. Kerim said
when his father died he left the monastery's land to him and said he
should protect the church at any cost, in the name of Christ.
"His wish surprised me. We were Muslim and I did not understand
why he wanted me to protect the church in the name of Christ,"
Kerim said, adding that he only learned upon insistent questioning
of older relatives that the family was in fact Armenian.
Kerim said he worked as the village imam for all his life and lived as
a pious Muslim. He keeps the monastery locked and maintains strict
control over the visitors who are allowed to enter. He cleaned the
interior on his own and laid all the stones in a corner, in numerical
order, in hopes that it will one day be restored. Because he is
influential in the village, no one interferes with his efforts, but
Kerim said he has experienced a lot of difficulties in his life.
"It was not that easy to protect this place," he said.
Fears and hopes of finds
The small steps toward reclaiming Van's Armenian past have aroused
some controversy and speculation. Mehmet Tuncel Aga, the guide who
accompanied the Daily News to the villages in the area, said the lands
Armenians had to leave in 1915 are now under the control of his Buriki
clan, one of the biggest in eastern and southeastern Anatolia. The son
of Fariz Aga, the head of the clan, Tuncel Aga said members of the
Turkmen tribes who settled in the homes abandoned by the
Kerim said he worked as the village imam for all his life and lived as
a pious Muslim. He keeps the monastery locked and maintains strict
control over the visitors who are allowed to enter. He cleaned the
interior on his own and laid all the stones in a corner, in numerical
order, in hopes that it will one day be restored. Because he is
influential in the village, no one interferes with his efforts, but
Kerim said he has experienced a lot of difficulties in his life.
"It was not that easy to protect this place," he said.
Fears and hopes of finds
The small steps toward reclaiming Van's Armenian past have aroused
some controversy and speculation. Mehmet Tuncel Aga, the guide who
accompanied the Daily News to the villages in the area, said the lands
Armenians had to leave in 1915 are now under the control of his Buriki
clan, one of the biggest in eastern and southeastern Anatolia. The son
of Fariz Aga, the head of the clan, Tuncel Aga said members of the
Turkmen tribes who settled in the homes abandoned by the
Armenians feared their houses would be reclaimed by Armenians
who came to attend the Aktamar rite.
According to Tuncel Aga, there was considerable uneasiness among them
before the ceremony, and many people came to share their fears with
the leaders of the tribe. "We said the fears are groundless and that
the Armenians were just coming for the ceremony," he said, adding that
he made every effort to host the Armenians from Istanbul who came to
Van for the event.
Tuncel Aga also said Victor Bedoyan, an Armenian-American
According to Tuncel Aga, there was considerable uneasiness among them
before the ceremony, and many people came to share their fears with
the leaders of the tribe. "We said the fears are groundless and that
the Armenians were just coming for the ceremony," he said, adding that
he made every effort to host the Armenians from Istanbul who came to
Van for the event.
Tuncel Aga also said Victor Bedoyan, an Armenian-American
entrepreneur who tried to set up a business in Van in 2002, was treated
unjustly. "He opened a hotel here with the name Vartan, but some did
not want to see an Armenian managing a hotel. It was closed by the
Culture Ministry. We did not object to it. We made a mistake. We did
not foresee the current situation," Tuncel Aga said.
If the opportunity to open the hotel had not been taken from Bedoyan,
then the region would see more tourists today, he added.
If the opportunity to open the hotel had not been taken from Bedoyan,
then the region would see more tourists today, he added.
Armenians of Istanbul complain of lack of Diaspora's assistance in
financing of Armenian schools
September 24, 2010 - 17:57 AMT 12:57 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
Coordinator of an educational commission created by Armenian
foundations of Istanbul at Yesilkoy School, Garo Paylan said that the
Armenian schools of Istanbul lack teachers of Armenian language, as a
result of which children gradually forget their mother tongue.
Besides, chairs of Armenian language do not operate in Turkey's
universities yet.
"The number of people who know Western Armenian at an academician
level is very limited in Turkey - only 5-10 people," said Paylan,
adding that they also face problems with books.
He noted that problems of security and existence of Armenian schools
are partially solved today. "After the murder of editor-in-chief of
Agos paper Hrant Dink, the Armenian educational institutions were
receiving letters with threats. And some parents did not want their
children to attend Armenian schools. However, these difficulties have
been overcome partially. Financing is another important issue. The
Turkish government does not allocate a penny. There are 16 Armenian
schools in Istanbul with 3,000 students. Until 1974, the Turkish state
had been paying for each student under the Treaty of Lausanne.
Currently, the community allocates funds, while the Diaspora does not
assist anyhow the Armenian educational institutions of Istanbul,"
Bianet agency quoted Paylan as saying.
financing of Armenian schools
September 24, 2010 - 17:57 AMT 12:57 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
Coordinator of an educational commission created by Armenian
foundations of Istanbul at Yesilkoy School, Garo Paylan said that the
Armenian schools of Istanbul lack teachers of Armenian language, as a
result of which children gradually forget their mother tongue.
Besides, chairs of Armenian language do not operate in Turkey's
universities yet.
"The number of people who know Western Armenian at an academician
level is very limited in Turkey - only 5-10 people," said Paylan,
adding that they also face problems with books.
He noted that problems of security and existence of Armenian schools
are partially solved today. "After the murder of editor-in-chief of
Agos paper Hrant Dink, the Armenian educational institutions were
receiving letters with threats. And some parents did not want their
children to attend Armenian schools. However, these difficulties have
been overcome partially. Financing is another important issue. The
Turkish government does not allocate a penny. There are 16 Armenian
schools in Istanbul with 3,000 students. Until 1974, the Turkish state
had been paying for each student under the Treaty of Lausanne.
Currently, the community allocates funds, while the Diaspora does not
assist anyhow the Armenian educational institutions of Istanbul,"
Bianet agency quoted Paylan as saying.
Tert.am
Spivakov's concert brings Azerbaijani musicians to Armenia
12:13 - 25.09.10
The CIS Youth Symphonic Orchestra had a concert late on Friday in
Yerevan's Opera House, conducted by famous Russian violinist, Art
Director of the Virtuosos of Moscow and SSSR Folk Artist Vladimir
Spivakov.
The concert had brought five young Azerbaijani musicians in a rare
Baku-Yerevan flight. Accompanied by former Armenian ambassador to
Russia, Armen Smbatyan, also Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Polad
Bulbuloglu was attending the concert.
Before the concert would begin, Mikhail Shvidkov, advisor to Russian
president on cooperation in cultural issues, welcomed the initiative.
He said that this is a very brave decision as also Azerbaijani
musicians were taking part in the concert.
"These youth have come into this world to teach us that we must live
in peace," said he.
After the concert famous Armenian duduk master, Jivan Gasparyan,
shared impressions.
"It is a wonderful idea. This is the good will of the peoples, it
symbolizes peace. All the people must leave in peace together," said
he.
Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan and first lady Rita Sargsyan were
also present at the concert.
12:13 - 25.09.10
The CIS Youth Symphonic Orchestra had a concert late on Friday in
Yerevan's Opera House, conducted by famous Russian violinist, Art
Director of the Virtuosos of Moscow and SSSR Folk Artist Vladimir
Spivakov.
The concert had brought five young Azerbaijani musicians in a rare
Baku-Yerevan flight. Accompanied by former Armenian ambassador to
Russia, Armen Smbatyan, also Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Polad
Bulbuloglu was attending the concert.
Before the concert would begin, Mikhail Shvidkov, advisor to Russian
president on cooperation in cultural issues, welcomed the initiative.
He said that this is a very brave decision as also Azerbaijani
musicians were taking part in the concert.
"These youth have come into this world to teach us that we must live
in peace," said he.
After the concert famous Armenian duduk master, Jivan Gasparyan,
shared impressions.
"It is a wonderful idea. This is the good will of the peoples, it
symbolizes peace. All the people must leave in peace together," said
he.
Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan and first lady Rita Sargsyan were
also present at the concert.
Video clips from Akhtamar opening ceremony, only in Armenian
language.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUFNV-0T9k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRrnD-fkmoc&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLrpDl2SA4k&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=158myd5NFtU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0JHmrAxIY0&NR=1
Armenians of Istanbul complain of lack of Diaspora's assistance in
financing of Armenian schools
September 24, 2010 - 17:57 AMT 12:57 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
Coordinator of an educational commission created by Armenian
foundations of Istanbul at Yesilkoy School, Garo Paylan said that the
Armenian schools of Istanbul lack teachers of Armenian language, as a
result of which children gradually forget their mother tongue.
Besides, chairs of Armenian language do not operate in Turkey's
universities yet.
"The number of people who know Western Armenian at an academician
level is very limited in Turkey - only 5-10 people," said Paylan,
adding that they also face problems with books.
He noted that problems of security and existence of Armenian schools
are partially solved today. "After the murder of editor-in-chief of
Agos paper Hrant Dink, the Armenian educational institutions were
receiving letters with threats. And some parents did not want their
children to attend Armenian schools. However, these difficulties have
been overcome partially. Financing is another important issue. The
Turkish government does not allocate a penny. There are 16 Armenian
schools in Istanbul with 3,000 students. Until 1974, the Turkish state
had been paying for each student under the Treaty of Lausanne.
Currently, the community allocates funds, while the Diaspora does not
assist anyhow the Armenian educational institutions of Istanbul,"
Bianet agency quoted Paylan as saying.
Tert.am
Spivakov's concert brings Azerbaijani musicians to Armenia
12:13 - 25.09.10
The CIS Youth Symphonic Orchestra had a concert late on Friday in
Yerevan's Opera House, conducted by famous Russian violinist, Art
Director of the Virtuosos of Moscow and SSSR Folk Artist Vladimir
Spivakov.
The concert had brought five young Azerbaijani musicians in a rare
Baku-Yerevan flight. Accompanied by former Armenian ambassador to
Russia, Armen Smbatyan, also Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Polad
Bulbuloglu was attending the concert.
Before the concert would begin, Mikhail Shvidkov, advisor to Russian
president on cooperation in cultural issues, welcomed the initiative.
He said that this is a very brave decision as also Azerbaijani
musicians were taking part in the concert.
"These youth have come into this world to teach us that we must live
in peace," said he.
After the concert famous Armenian duduk master, Jivan Gasparyan,
shared impressions.
"It is a wonderful idea. This is the good will of the peoples, it
symbolizes peace. All the people must leave in peace together," said
he.
Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan and first lady Rita Sargsyan were
also present at the concert.
12:13 - 25.09.10
The CIS Youth Symphonic Orchestra had a concert late on Friday in
Yerevan's Opera House, conducted by famous Russian violinist, Art
Director of the Virtuosos of Moscow and SSSR Folk Artist Vladimir
Spivakov.
The concert had brought five young Azerbaijani musicians in a rare
Baku-Yerevan flight. Accompanied by former Armenian ambassador to
Russia, Armen Smbatyan, also Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Polad
Bulbuloglu was attending the concert.
Before the concert would begin, Mikhail Shvidkov, advisor to Russian
president on cooperation in cultural issues, welcomed the initiative.
He said that this is a very brave decision as also Azerbaijani
musicians were taking part in the concert.
"These youth have come into this world to teach us that we must live
in peace," said he.
After the concert famous Armenian duduk master, Jivan Gasparyan,
shared impressions.
"It is a wonderful idea. This is the good will of the peoples, it
symbolizes peace. All the people must leave in peace together," said
he.
Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan and first lady Rita Sargsyan were
also present at the concert.
Video clips from Akhtamar opening ceremony, only in Armenian
language.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUFNV-0T9k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRrnD-fkmoc&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLrpDl2SA4k&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=158myd5NFtU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0JHmrAxIY0&NR=1
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