Emre Can Dağlıoğlu

Due to neglect and other dangers, the cultural legacy of Armenians throughput Turkey faces destruction.

On the other hand, there are certain positive developments that have been registered.

While Turkey’s Ministry of Culture has renovated a number of historic sites, they are just a tiny fraction of what remains.

To preserve the Armenian cultural legacy, various international and Turkish organizations are working towards this end.

One of the important unions working in this direction is the Armenian Village and Armenian Assistance Union of Sassoun, Bitlis, Batman, Moush, Van, Istanbul, and elsewhere.

Union secretary Aziz Daghju notes that petitions made on behalf of the St. Garabed Monastery (Moush) and Ani have produced positive results. “Sadly, the Gomk Church of Sassoun has been neglected,” says Daghdjuh.

Daghdjuh has circulated a petition to empty the houses built on the grounds of St. Garabed Monastery. He has demanded that a court inquiry be launched against those destroying the church. Today, there are 48 apartments and six animal sheds on the monastery’s property. Based on the reply received by Daghju, Diyarbakir’s Department of Monuments is preparing a renovation project. Regarding the emptying of apartments on monastery grounds, the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Moush Municipality is already taking certain measures.

Daghju deems such structures blasphemous and says that any honorable person would not accept such disrespect.

The Renovation of Ani Gets Underway

Writing to the Parliament, Daghju has requested information regarding renovation of the Mother Cathedral.

The reply he received states that technical work will begin this year.

After this encouraging development Daghju states that the 1,500 year old Gomk Church I Sassoun is in very poor shape.

While renovation work began in May of this year, the church is still being used as a barn.

“Treasure hunters constantly dig away at the church. I’m afraid that the surviving walls will collapse before the complete renovations get underway,” says Daghju.

AGOS