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FROM CHURCH TO SPORTS HALL TO MUSEUM IN TURKEY
Hurriyet Daily News
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=from -church-to-sports-hall-to-museum-2010-02-17
Feb 17 2010
Turkey
The Armenian church of Surp Astuadzadzin in the central Anatolian
city of Kayseri will be transformed into a museum after being used
as a sports hall for decades.
"A historical place like the church is not appropriate for sports.
However, sports activities took place here for 30 to 40 years. We
are transferring the sports activities in the church to newly opened
halls," said Yahya Å~^ahan, the Kayseri provincial youth and sports
director.
Å~^ahan said they have the land title for the church, which was also
being used as a youth center and will continue in this function until
the construction of a new youth center.
Å~^ahan said there are plans for a museum project and they may transfer
the church building to Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality. "If that
happens, the municipality may transform [the church] into a museum. A
memo came from the municipality last year for the church building
to be transferred to them, but this request was put on hold later,"
Å~^ahan said transforming the building back into a church was mentioned
but the idea was given up.
Kemalettin Cengiz Tekinsoy, deputy secretary-general for Kayseri
Metropolitan Municipality, said the structure would be turned into
a museum and opening it for service as a church was not an option
because there is no Armenian community in Kayseri. "I believe it can
be a museum after a renovation that would bring back its historical
qualities."
Hurriyet Daily News
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=from -church-to-sports-hall-to-museum-2010-02-17
Feb 17 2010
Turkey
The Armenian church of Surp Astuadzadzin in the central Anatolian
city of Kayseri will be transformed into a museum after being used
as a sports hall for decades.
"A historical place like the church is not appropriate for sports.
However, sports activities took place here for 30 to 40 years. We
are transferring the sports activities in the church to newly opened
halls," said Yahya Å~^ahan, the Kayseri provincial youth and sports
director.
Å~^ahan said they have the land title for the church, which was also
being used as a youth center and will continue in this function until
the construction of a new youth center.
Å~^ahan said there are plans for a museum project and they may transfer
the church building to Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality. "If that
happens, the municipality may transform [the church] into a museum. A
memo came from the municipality last year for the church building
to be transferred to them, but this request was put on hold later,"
Å~^ahan said transforming the building back into a church was mentioned
but the idea was given up.
Kemalettin Cengiz Tekinsoy, deputy secretary-general for Kayseri
Metropolitan Municipality, said the structure would be turned into
a museum and opening it for service as a church was not an option
because there is no Armenian community in Kayseri. "I believe it can
be a museum after a renovation that would bring back its historical
qualities."