Interview with Gyultekin: Armenians of Turkey are still scared to speak of their identities

15:03 14/03/2011 » SOCIETY
Interview with Gyultekin: Armenians of Turkey are still scared to speak of their identities
4 months ago the Armenians of Turkish State of Tunjeli founded “Union of faith and solidarity for Armenians of Dersim”. The mission of the organization is to protect, to defend and restore Armenian type, spiritual and cultural values. The President of the union is 50-year-old Armenian Miran Prkich Gyultekin, who has first changed his religion, was baptized and chose a new name for him. Gyultekin has recently visited Yerevan. He had an exclusive interview with “Ermenihaber.am”.Read the interview below:-How many Armenians in Dersim have changed their religion and adopted Christianity? -Regretfully, I can’t remember of any certain figure. 4 of us have taken this initiative. Then Turkish media, particularly, “Radical” paper published a story called “Armenians return to their roots”. Later, media outlets covered more stories that hidden Armenians in Adiyaman, Bitlis and elsewhere were changing their religion. Armenians of Dersim don’t speak about their identities and roots, because they are scared. That feeling of fear should be overcome and destroyed. -How that feeling of scare can be overcome? -Through the organization that I’ve founded. For example, I did that, and nothing happened to me. -Is that initiative dangerous? - What I’m busy with is within the borders of human rights. Finally, I wish to return to the identity of my grand-grand-parents, to their faith, and I don’t think this is a problem. But if there occur any, then the state must settle them. -Were Armenians killed during massacres of Dersim in 1937-38? -Armenians have been expelled, and killed, but Kurds were the target then. -What role Armenians of Dersim can have in the normalization process of Armenian-Turkish relations? -We carefully follow the development of the process. If Turkey wants normalized relations with Armenia, they must offer compensation for the Genocide. If they don’t, they should recognize Armenian Genocide and apologize for it. If it is done worthily, we may be supporting that process.-Do Armenians of Dersim want to visit Armenia? -Everybody dreamed that. Everybody wants to see Armenia, and they will use any suitable chance. If our organization manages to get financial support, I would bring them here. Gyultekin shared with his impressions of Armenia: “I didn’t imagine Yerevan this way. While walking, I could feel Armenians have much resemblance with Dersim Armenians, that made me happy. I felt as if in Dersim. When I saw the new buildings, I thought only Armenians could make them. And Armenian girls have the most beautiful eyes in the world…”
Source: Panorama.a