Young artists Lydia Ghazaryan and Vahe Hakobyan recently returned from Istanbul. They were taking part in the Istanbul stage of “Exchange of Painters” project organized within the framework of “Support to Armenia-Turkey normalization process” of Public Journalism Club, in partnership with Anadolu Kültür NGOs. Under the project, a group of ten young artists from Armenia and Turkey led by their mentors conducted a series of events, first in Yerevan and afterwards in the Turkish city of Istanbul, to get to know the art and the creative life of the two countries. Lydia Ghazaryan says that it was her first trip out of the country, and was very excited for going to Istanbul. “I seemed to be ready for it – stormy events and news. What I saw was in my understanding, I can even tell that I found there something dear to me,” says she. She mentions that during the contact with young artists of the neighboring country, they have talked less about genocide and the tension of relations, they more interested in the subject matter of the art. “There were no long dialogues, we were communicating short with hands gestures, smiles and mimics. We had a translator with us, we shared a few sentences with each other. We were more giving energy to each other.” Lydia Ghazaryan says that one of the attendees from Turkey said during one of the discussions that armenophoby is instilled in Turkey from school years. “I felt how much strength she has found in herself to take part in this program, her environment also disturbed her to participate in this program. Generally, I think that we all, to some extent, were courageous to participate in a similar project.” She says that the program was an experience for her, an opportunity to communicate with the artists outside of the country, and, why not, to see the city of Istanbul.
Vahe Hakobyan regrets at spending less time in Istanbul. “When I was saying good-bye, I told them about it, and they said that even those who live in Istanbul do not have time to see the whole city (laughed). Istanbul was the city of mixtures of cultures, one can see buildings of different periods, and everything was so accurate, side by side and not disturbing one another,” says he. Vahe mentions although when a child, the family was always speaking that the Turks are enemies, however, he had not admitted it, he says, “We have to get rid of phobias.” Lydia Ghazaryan adds that every single Armenian should participate in such programs and experience such a phase.
Hripsime HOVHANNISYAN
Read also
