Armenian journalist, editor of Armenian newspaper AGOS – Hrant Dınk was kılled ın Istanbul on 19th January 2007.
Today I took part in a rally in Istanbul, marking the 1 year anniversary of Hran’t Dink’s tragic assasination. There was very little I understood, but the atmosphere was sad and angry. The wave of people – perhaps 80-100,000 was flowing like an endless river, blocking the street in front of the AGOS newspaper office. People were demanding justice and uncovering the true motives of the organizers of the assasination.
I know very little about Hrant Dink even today, despite all that has been said and written after his murder. I know Hrand Dink’s views earned him enemies among the Armenian diaspora, Armenian community in Istanbul and in Armenia itself. I know he was a champion of Turkish – Armenian reconcilliation, and he was an exceptionally brave man.
As an Armenian taking part in the rally, I was there only because Hrant Dink is Armenian, and was killed, from what I understood, exactly for his nationality.
However, for those thousands of people protesting in the street, he was much more then an Armenian. Yesterday I also I found out, that he is one of the symbols of Turkey’s future. Yesterday I also understood, that Turkey’s future is bright, if it could trigger such a major rally a year after the murder of the Armenian journalist, because people really care about what’s happening with their country and their citizens – regardless of their nationality.
Hrant Dink – brave man – farewell to you. Rest in peace.
[…] do not quite comprehend Hrant Dink's message of peace and reconciliation, it is encouraging to read the words of one who now perhaps does. Today I took part in a rally in Istanbul, marking the 1 year anniversary of Hran’t Dink’s […]
Great post, and I’m very glad to hear that Hrant Dink is remembered in such a way in Turkey. Ironically, I tried to find out what events were being staged in Yerevan but came up empty. Was anything held, does anybody know?
Sadder still that the trial is being conducting behind closed doors.
According to Panorama (http://www.panorama.am/am/society/2008/01/19/dink/), a special commemorative evening was planned on 19th Jan in Komitas Chamber Music Hall in Yerevan, under the patronage of Serj Sargsyan, with the screening of documentary on Hrant Dink and concert programme. Also, special service in Armenian churches (world-wide, including Yerevan) this Sunday. That’s what I know. However, there was no much publicity about Yerevan events.
Artmika, I didn’t hear a thing or see any announcements 🙁
Still, at least something was held. That’s good.
There is no publicity about anything held in Yerevan, ever. Most of the time, I find out about important or cool things post factum, including about things that would be much more useful if more people attended (like job or education fairs).
[…] هراند دینک را متوجه نشده اند، آنانرا تشویق می کنم که کلام کسی را بخوانند که آنرا براستی متوجه شده است:امروز در تجمعی در استانبول که در آن سالگرد قتل حزن […]