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HOSTILITY TO BE FORGOTTEN
Taguhi Hakobyan
Lragir.am
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/interview22786.html
29/07/2011
>>From July 25 to August 4, Ali Akay, Art Coordinator, sociologist at
Istanbul Mimar Sinan University, will be visiting Armenia within the
frameworks of institutional and ideological action of transnational
art event organized by the National Association of Art Critics. Below
is an interview with Ali Akay.
Armenia and Turkey have been recently trying to overcome the obstacles
of the past and normalize their relations. What trends do you notice
in this process? Are both countries ready for further cooperation?
Trends of improvement of relations have been visible since 2000.
Turkish artists participated in the Biennale of Gyumri. Since 2000,
the Istanbul-based Agos newspaper has been publishing articles for
both the Armenian and Turkish audience. Journalists have done a great
deal of work to unite intellectuals, representatives of different
nationalities - Armenians, Turks and Kurds. When Hrant Dink was
killed, two million Turks took to the streets and chanted "We all
are Armenians". The atmosphere is surely changeable. Sometimes,
our relations get complicated, sometimes right the opposite. Changes
are noticeable in Yerevan too. A generation of youths grew up who has
forgotten the hostility. If political figures should reach agreement,
the problems between two countries will be solved.
Do you think Hrant Dink's murder was crucial for crushing stereotypes
in the Turkish thinking? Is there some progress in terms of freedom
of speech and media?
Since 2000, discussions of Armenian issues have been underway in
Turkey, and many intellectuals freely express their positions. There
are, of course, circles with radical moods that resist to the
normalization of relations. The more youths forget hostility, the
more progress there will be. There are people in Turkey who provoke
hostility for their interests and they only complicate the situation.
Those are secret services pursuing unlawful activities.
What is the role of modern art in Turkey and does it influence the
mentality of the society?
There was an artist in Turkey, who, after returning from the
Venice Biennale, started dwelling on issues of sexual and national
minorities. In these terms, modern art is trying to play a role.
Can the existing scientific and cultural ties between Armenia and
Turkey have a role and influence on the political processes?
I think university students should seek broadening their ties in the
fields of art and history and natural sciences.
Are there state programs in Turkey which sponsor studies of Turkish
youths abroad?
Of course, there are. There are exchange programs with European
universities. Besides, universities sign agreements with other
universities. This issue is solved in Turkey because universities
use their opportunities.
From: A. Papazian
Taguhi Hakobyan
Lragir.am
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/interview22786.html
29/07/2011
>>From July 25 to August 4, Ali Akay, Art Coordinator, sociologist at
Istanbul Mimar Sinan University, will be visiting Armenia within the
frameworks of institutional and ideological action of transnational
art event organized by the National Association of Art Critics. Below
is an interview with Ali Akay.
Armenia and Turkey have been recently trying to overcome the obstacles
of the past and normalize their relations. What trends do you notice
in this process? Are both countries ready for further cooperation?
Trends of improvement of relations have been visible since 2000.
Turkish artists participated in the Biennale of Gyumri. Since 2000,
the Istanbul-based Agos newspaper has been publishing articles for
both the Armenian and Turkish audience. Journalists have done a great
deal of work to unite intellectuals, representatives of different
nationalities - Armenians, Turks and Kurds. When Hrant Dink was
killed, two million Turks took to the streets and chanted "We all
are Armenians". The atmosphere is surely changeable. Sometimes,
our relations get complicated, sometimes right the opposite. Changes
are noticeable in Yerevan too. A generation of youths grew up who has
forgotten the hostility. If political figures should reach agreement,
the problems between two countries will be solved.
Do you think Hrant Dink's murder was crucial for crushing stereotypes
in the Turkish thinking? Is there some progress in terms of freedom
of speech and media?
Since 2000, discussions of Armenian issues have been underway in
Turkey, and many intellectuals freely express their positions. There
are, of course, circles with radical moods that resist to the
normalization of relations. The more youths forget hostility, the
more progress there will be. There are people in Turkey who provoke
hostility for their interests and they only complicate the situation.
Those are secret services pursuing unlawful activities.
What is the role of modern art in Turkey and does it influence the
mentality of the society?
There was an artist in Turkey, who, after returning from the
Venice Biennale, started dwelling on issues of sexual and national
minorities. In these terms, modern art is trying to play a role.
Can the existing scientific and cultural ties between Armenia and
Turkey have a role and influence on the political processes?
I think university students should seek broadening their ties in the
fields of art and history and natural sciences.
Are there state programs in Turkey which sponsor studies of Turkish
youths abroad?
Of course, there are. There are exchange programs with European
universities. Besides, universities sign agreements with other
universities. This issue is solved in Turkey because universities
use their opportunities.
From: A. Papazian