OIA TAKES PART IN ANATOLIAN FESTIVAL,

FOLLOWS IN HRANT DINK’S FOOTSTEPS

The Organization of Istanbul Armenians (OIA) recently participated in the Anatolian Cultures and Foods Festival in Costa Mesa California, a four day event (April 2-5) at the Orange County Fairgrounds intended to celebrate Anatolia’s history and people.  Pacifica Institute  which organized the festival estimated that twenty thousand or so visitors came to see the fifteen acre concourse with replicas of cities and landmarks from various Anatolian civilizations.  Featured alongside the Sumerian, Hittite, Lydian, Assyrian, Persian, Seljuk, Ottoman, Roman (Byzantine), Greek, and Celtic was the Urartu (Armenian) civilization.  Five Anatolian cities were highlighted in special detail: Istanbul, Konya, Mardin, Antalya, and Van.  OIA had a booth and a member of the OIA Board of Directors spoke at the opening ceremony that was attended by, among others, the Turkish Consul General of Los Angeles. 

Some people may wonder why the OIA board decided to take part in this festival.  After all, it was organized by a Turkish group and seems to have had the support of authorities in Turkey.  It appeared to be an attempt to improve Turkey’s image abroad.  Many Armenians are understandably reluctant to participate in such events for fear that they will indirectly help Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide.  Such concerns are particularly apt in the month of April, a time when Armenians all over the world are especially mindful of their history.  Why did the OIA risk becoming an instrument of Turkish propaganda and undermine the effort to pressure Turkey to recognize the Genocide?

The answer is that the Anatolian Festival was neither Turkish propaganda nor likely to delay Genocide recognition. On the contrary, it was an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate and promote Armenian history and culture.  I