“I could not come to Armenia, the border there was a true border,” tells an artist from Turkey, Serdar Yilmaz, in the conversation with us, referring to his many years ago wish. He was in a number of cities in Western Armenia: Van, Kars, and so on, was amazed at the Armenian culture, wanted to come to Armenia, too, but the border was closed. He tells that now he has many friends in Istanbul, and wishes the communication between the two nations be constant. I talked to him prior to the event announcing the launching of “Exchange of Painters” project. Recall that the project is implemented under the “Support to Armenia – Turkey normalization process” by “Public Journalism Club” (Armenia) and “Anadolu Kültür” (Turkey).
Serdar Yilmaz, a painter, also an associate professor, also professor of Marmara University in Istanbul, said that he was informed about the project by “Anadolu Kültür” organization, and he kindly agreed to participate. He has selected 4 young university students to participate in the project. It was important for him that they be of different universities, has already got acquainted with them. With regard to the youth, he says, “They do not have a good understanding of the Armenian-Turkish relations. This project is very interesting to them, they are the new generation, and would create something together. They have already started working together, and they have gone to the museum together. I think it is an excellent opportunity to communicate with each other on cultures.”
I reminded the famous painter from Turkey that next year is the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. “I am trying to explore the history, and communicate with many others to understand the truth, he said, while noting at the same time that he is an artist, and not a specialist to full have the information about history. “I wish all documents be opened, and everything be open, so that we see everything. There are so many cultural values and buildings that are Armenian, he says. He mentions that the issues coming from history should be detected, he mentions that it is evident that hundred years ago Armenians left their historical lands. “We know that this period coincided with the World War I, it was a war and so on,” he says and thinks that the historical matters should be clarified. Turkish artist believes that we need to communicate with each other in diversity of events, sharing our thoughts. “We need communication, thus much would be more transparent,” says he.
Hripsime HOVHANNISYAN
