ISTANBUL, Turkey (A.W.)—Human rights organizations in Turkey, under the umbrella group “100th Year—Stop Denialism,” gathered in front of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Sultanahmet Square on April 24. The building was known as the central prison in 1915; individuals from the Istanbul Armenian community, including intellectual and cultural leaders, were arrested in their homes, detained here, and then sent off to the Haydarpasha train station.
After a moment of silence, the crowd began the “Genocide March,” walking from Sultanahmet to Eminönü, and then crossing over to Haydarpasha by sea. The detainees of April 24, 1915, were deported from Haydarpasha to the depths of the country—in actual fact, to their deaths.
A commemoration was held at Haydarpasha with participants holding photographs of the intellectuals arrested and killed in 1915, and placards that demanded recognition and reparations for the Armenian Genocide.
From Haydarpasha, the crowd proceeded to the Şişli Armenian Cemetery to commemorate Sevag Şahin Balıkçı, a victim of an ethnic-hate murder on April 24, 2011, while on mandatory military duty in Batman, and to express its support to the Balıkçı family in their pursuit of justice.
In the early afternoon, thousands held a commemoration in Istanbul’s Taksim Square. The commemoration event included a Wishing Tree ceremony, when participants from Turkey and abroad tied strips of fabric to a tree as homage to the victims and survivors of the genocide.
Following the Wishing Tree ceremony, participants held pictures of the Armenian intellectuals who were murdered a century ago in Istanbul, including Taniel Varoujan, Rupen Zartarian, and Krikor Zohrab. During the sit-in, they were joined by thousands of protesters who held banners and signs urging the Turkish government to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The demonstration, which was organized by the Nor Zartonk youth movement of Istanbul, began at Galatasaray High School (Galatasaray Lisesi), and saw participants marching down Istiklal Street to join the commemoration.
During the commemoration, Dr. Heghnar Zeitlian Watenpaugh delivered a speech in Armenian and Turkish on behalf of Project 2015. The voices of our ancestors, she said, “are calling for justice. We are calling for justice. We are here today with Armenians from around the world and citizens of many nationalities who have traveled to stand against denial. We are here today with citizens of Turkey who are standing with us in our quest for redress and restitution.”
Project 2015 has been a two-year-long effort to organize members of the Armenian Diaspora and others committed to human rights and genocide prevention in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East to travel to Turkey to join the centennial commemoration.
I hope they will be ok- it is really commendable to do this within turkey. this country is light years behind freedom of speech and coming to terms, not just of it’s past but what it stands for as a country today.
Bravo to the thousands who courageously protested in Taksim Square.
Fr. Aram
Yes, Fr. Aram Stepanian, it was indeed brave, and for most of them, it was done at their own expense. These are not only people from Istanbul. They have come from all over the world. My grandson had a 17 hour flight. They do it knowing that the torch has been passed to them.
Very impressive. Thank you for letting us know. My great-uncle, Dr. Nazareth Dagavarian, taken & later killed as one of the leaders in 1915 would have been pleased to know of the planning, resolve and courage displayed.
I think it is very hard even today to find an intellectual like your great uncle.He was a fascinating man with a great intellect. I was amazed by reading his biography.He is one of a kind.You must be proud of him!
Hello. I am interested, having read this post, in knowing how you are related to my grandfather, Nazaret Dagavarian. Your name is not familiar to me but I’d like to hear more.
Diana Dagavarian Colpitts
Joan. Good Morning July 28, 2019. My name is Haig Tufankjian and Dr. Dagavarian is my grandfather. I have been happily amazed how many Armenians and Turks remember my grandfather. My mother, his daughter, would be happy and proud.
Good Luck.
Haig
But what percentage of the Turkish population and government do these Turks, who acknowledge the Armenian genocide, represent?
I congratulate those Armenians & non-Armenians whom commemorated the Armenian Genocide in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey. We hope the Turkish Government will come forth to finally recognize what their former Governments in 1915 did to the Armenian People as a Genocide.
Վարձքդ կատար, Նանոր:
in response to dave / april 28 2015.
indeed, how many.