Turkish Authorities Sue Armenian Seminary

Turkey-based Marmara daily reports that the Armenian community of Turkey faces a critical issue regarding the Soorp Khatch Armenian Seminary there. In citing a rule on religious establishments, the Turkish Treasury has filed a law suit against the seminary disputing its ownership rights (based on the conclusion that the seminary does not qualify as a religious institution, and is rather an educational one). The suit aims to acquire seminary deeds in order to register it as a property of the Turkish state.

Source: Asbarez Online (www.asbarez.com)

Armenians Threaten to Appeal to European Court

In response to a Turkish government decision to change the religious status of Armenians living in Turkey from "Christian" to "Other Christian" in passports, the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Archbishop Mesrob has forwarded a request to the interior ministry of Turkey asking that the change not take place. The Patriarch notes that the new category reserved solely for Armenians simply serves to discriminate and intimidate. According to the Turkish newspaper Yeni Vatan, Armenians are determined to pursue the matter as a civil rights issue. Murad Berberoughlou, an advisor the Patriarch has stated that if the Patriarch's request to the interior ministry yields no results, the Patriarch will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Source: Asbarez Online (www.asbarez.com)

‘Ararat' Wins Five ‘Canadian Oscar' Awards

TORONTO—Renowned Director Atom Egoyan's "Ararat," which explores the ongoing impact of the Turkish government's denial of the Armenian Genocide, was honored as the best Canadian feature film of 2002 at the "Genie" awards ceremony. In addition to best film, "Ararat" won awards in four additional categories, best actress, Arsinee Khanjian; best supporting actor Elias Koteas; best original score, Michael Danna, and; best costume design, Beth Pasternak. Best actress winner Arsinee Khanjian, who hosted the "Genie" Awards, commented on her victory, noting, "With my work on ‘Ararat,' I wanted to honor the spirit of my ancestors." She then thanked her husband, Egoyan— "without whom I might have become a politician," she laughed—before finishing her speech in Armenian.

Source: The Armenian Weekly Online (www.hairenik.com)

‘Ararat' in Turkey?

Noyan Tapan has reported that Sabahattin Cetin of the Turkish Film Industry has purchased the rights to show the film ‘Ararat' in Turkey. A Turkish film critic wrote in the Sabah newspaper, however, that it is unclear whether Ararat will be shown in Turkey. Cetin has announced that he stands ready to promote the film in Turkey, but that certain scenes, specifically the rape of an Armenian mother by a Turkish officer, must be removed. In response, Egoyan said although he would not agree to an edited version on one hand, he nevertheless wants the film to be viewed by Turkish audiences. Cetin has also asked the Istanbul film festival organizers to consider showing the film during its April film festival, but has not received a response. The paper also noted that there is concern about the fallout of showing Ararat in Turkey—edited or not.

Source: The Armenian Weekly Online (www.hairenik.com)

World Monuments Fund Includes Ancient Armenian Places on List of 100 Most Endangered Sites

World Monuments Watch, a global program launched in 1995, calls attention to imperiled cultural heritage sites around the world, and directs timely financial support to their preservation.

A panel of leading international experts selects the List of 100 Most Endangered Sites from nominations submitted to the World Monuments Fund every two years by governments, organizations active in the field of cultural preservation, and individuals.

The following two sites were included in the current List of 100 Most Endangered Sites issued by World Monuments Watch.

Tepebasi District (1914) Gaziantep, Turkey

Fine examples of mid-19th century Armenian architecture may seem an incongruous feature of this once-wealthy trading center in southeastern Turkey, but are only one of many elements in a well-preserved example of cultural and religious integration in the late Ottoman Empire.The missionary hospital and school, constructed at the request of Tepebasi's merchants, still stand alongside a collection of synagogues, mosques, and Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches in the historical district of Gaziantep. At the center of the district is Sira Han, the largest and grandest of the city's hans, or travel lodges, featuring kitchens, animal stalls, and guest rooms that welcomed both wealthy merchants and refugees.

Ani Archaeological Site (1399) Ocarli Köyü, Kars, Turkey

From its humble beginnings as an Armenian settlement in northeastern Anatolia, Ani developed into an important cultural and mercantile center on the Silk Road, maintaining its stature for a millennium before being conquered by the Mongols and subsequently abandoned in the 14th century.

Successive waves of Armenian, Muslim, Byzantine, and Bagratid administrations created Ani's remarkably rich architectural legacy, the remains of which still stand, albeit precariously, on this arid, earthquake-prone high plateau.

Among its most important structures are several proto-Gothic churches whose ribbed vaulting and column pier clusters predate their appearance in Europe by more than a century.

Minimal archaeological work at the site has also revealed an elaborate water pipeline system and evidence of a sophisticated postal service.

Seismic activity remains the greatest threat to Ani. However, centuries of harsh weather, wind and sand erosion, and recent looting activity continue to slowly weaken the remaining structures. The sight of recently collapsed 1,000-year old buildings is commonplace.

This site has appeared in the World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002.

Source: The Armenian Weekly Online (www.hairenik.com)