Hrant Dink, who was assassinated nineteen years ago in front of the Sebat Building in Istanbul – the former office of Agos Newspaper - was commemorated by hundreds on Monday, January 19 at 3:00 PM.

The event, according to the Hrant Dink Foundation, once again emphasized the call for justice, with this year's keynote address delivered by Leda Özber, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Visual Director of Agos Newspaper. 

A letter from Çiğdem Mater, a member of the Friends of Hrant organization and currently in Bakırköy Prison, was read aloud by writer Gaye Boralıoğlu, also of the Friends of Hrant. In her message, Mater expressed reliance on the strength of the community and underscored the importance of sustaining hope despite adversity.

Additionally, a message from Osman Kavala—another member of Friends of Hrant, detained since November 2017—was presented by cartoonist Kemal Gökhan Gürses. Kavala reflected on Hrant Dink’s intellectual legacy and the continued influence of Agos, describing them as guiding principles for those committed to confronting historical injustices and advocating for universal justice.
The elected Mayor of Şişli, Resul Emrah Şahan, and Deputy Mayor Ebru Özdemir also contributed letters from Marmara Prison (formerly Silivri Prison). Mayor Şahan extended his greetings and solidarity with the assembly, while Deputy Mayor Özdemir acknowledged the lessons drawn from the commemoration, emphasizing conscience over fear and reinforcing the ongoing demand for justice.

In her speech, Leda Özber described her colleague Hrant Dink with these words: "Almost every Agos headline resonated, to varying degrees, both within the Armenian community as well as in the wider society. However, there were moments when there was no reaction at all. During those times, I would often say to Baron Hrant in disappointment, ‘Who are we publishing this newspaper for, anyway?’ Each time, he would reply: ‘Even if only one person reads it, even if I reach out to just one person, it is worth the effort for me’.'"

You can access Leda Özber's full speech here.

The ceremony, broadcast live in Turkish and English online, was followed by hundreds of people. You can access the live broadcast video of the commemoration ceremony here.

Photo: hrantdink.org