ISTANBUL, Turkey—A man was arrested on April 18 in connection with the stabbing of prominent Turkish artist Bedri Baykam, after the latter spoke out in defense of a sculpture that, while symbolizing peace between Turkey and Armenia, is currently being demolished, local media reported.
Baykam, 53, and his assistant were both stabbed in the abdomen in broad daylight as they left an artists’ meeting. Both were reported as being in stable condition later at an Istanbul hospital.
A prolific painter and multimedia artist, Baykam is a prominent fixture in Turkey’s contemporary arts scene and is known internationally.
The artist, who is also a newspaper columnist known for his outspoken political views, had strongly criticized the demolition of the “Monument to Humanity” in the city of Kars, a city in eastern Turkey near the border with Armenia.
Built by sculptor Mehmet Aksoy as a friendship monument to promote Turkish and Armenian reconciliation, the sculpture became the subject of political controversy after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Kars earlier this year.
Erdogan called the sculpture—which consists of two 30-meter-high concrete figures—a “freak” and said it was not in keeping with the historical fabric of the city.
The Kars Municipal Assembly later voted to tear down the sculpture, saying it had been erected illegally in a protected area.
The monument’s demolition, which began over the weekend of April 16, is opposed by artists and civil society groups who say nationalism, not historical preservation, lies behind the decision to take it down.
At Monday’s meeting, Aksoy called for a march to the “Monument to Humanity” on April 23 in protest of its destruction.
“We are here to prevent an artistic massacre,” Baykam was quoted as saying at the meeting by private broadcaster NTV.
“If this sculpture is torn down, the whole world will hear of this as Turkey’s ‘Buddha assault,’ after the destruction of the Buddha monuments by the Taliban,” Baykam said, referring to the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan.
Nothing was yet known about the suspected attacker or his motives, but footage from security cameras at the scene of the crime showed that the man had waited for half an hour for Baykam to appear, indicating that the attack was premeditated.
Don’t let this story fade away. Keep us posted on how it plays out. I don’t think he even used the big G word. The man just wanted an artistic expression of friendship. Maybe it was the April 23 date for the march that was troubling to the perpetrator.
Hey Robert.. where are you? I am sure you read this article… so you still think Turkey is a democratic and human rights keeper? How come you are silent about such things and jump on the wagon of “lets get Armenians” the minute is hot off the press.. hmmmmm???
It is very obvious – the hand of the deep state ultrantionalists, heirs to the CUP, architects of the genocide who still operate under cover in Turkey, will spare no one – whether it’s a reknown artist, or a Nobel prize winning writer such as Pamuk or a prominent editor like Dink. Until this scourge is eradicated, any forward thinking person in Turkey who speaks his mind, is clearly at risk from this racist, ideological mafia. Their message is clear – shut up or we’ll go after you. Time for all the democratic elements there to rise up in defense of freedom, truth and honesty.
Karekin, is so right on this. The democratically minded people of Turkey must demand that their government change their denialist policies and get a grip on the ultra-nationalist racists that are covertly running the show. Turkey and the Turkish people will only advance their nation once they come to grips with their past and the policies of suppression of the truth.
The Kars monument issue is also touched in the documentair film of Dutch Bram Vermeulen. Part 4: The last Armenian (“De laatste Armenier”)- aired on Dutch State TV (Ned 1) on 17.04.2011 at 20.15-21.00 hour.
http://program.vpro.nl/inturkije
The ultra-nationalists will spare no one who stands in the way of their racist pan-turkic ideology: not 1.5 million Armenians, not Kurds who want the right to teach their children their language and culture, not their own historians or Nobel Laureate writers or prized artists, and not their neighboring nation of Armenia. And our State Department bolsters their denialist policies while our President folds under the pressure and looses his moral compass.
Our enemy is fierce. It is time for all Armenians to speak up! Join the World Council of Churches National Day of Prayer this weekend remembering Easter and the Genocide. Attend a genocide commemoration service. And let the President know that his broken promise has consequences.
Gor jan.. Robert and alike can’t stand the fact that we do everything to push our cause because every step we take forward pushes Turkey 10 steps back… and Robert can’t handle that.. that is why he always tries to belittle and make matters worst to prove his mute point.. but never on these pages has he been successful…
Ok, I am an American whos father is from Turkey and mother is an American of Latino, Italian and Irish roots. The Genocide of 1.5 million people Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks, etc. happened. People were mutiliated, burned, tortured, sexually abused, and traumatized and they seen their families burned alive and seperated. Brothers and sisters were not being able to seen their mothers. Soldiers went into the houses of Anatolian Christians and stabbed the pregnant wounds of Christian Anatolian Women. Why the hell people are denying such a disgusting, heinous, evil event. These people were burned, mutilated, tortured, traumatized, and the descendents of these crimes are traumatized for the rest of their lives. If people are going to keep on denying the undeniable, then there will be more wounds of hate between Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Armenian people. If some ignorant scumbags keep on denying the most painful tragedies of all time, then the hate and bloodshed in the world will continue. Look is what happening to Coptics in Egypt, the Palestinians (both Christian and Muslim), Lebanese (both Christian and Muslim), Middle East Democracy Rebelions, Darfur, Tibet, Rwanda, Libya, Cambodia, and so on. Wounds wlll spread and divisions between societies will continue. Enough with all the denial of all tragic events in history. If you knuckleheads deny the undeniable, then it will attract hate against our race and we will be the laughing stock of the planet. Look what denying the undeniable led against our people. 1/2 of the Turkish diaspora are like the Mexicans in the USA, Turkey is always getting threatened because the Turkish government are supressing the rights of Christians, Alevis, Kurds, and so on. So what if Turkey loses some lands. I would rather have a smaller sized Turkey that lives in dignity and honor, rather then a Turkey that will live in Shame forever. Enough with the denial, whether you are Turkish or Non Turkish! The denial of a tragic event in society will lead to more bleeding, pain and suffering in the world. How can people deny the torture, degregation, subjugation, humiliation, rape, and suffering of a nation. I am cringing in my stomach, seriously!