Walking the Line
Armenian life in Turkey under the long shadow of history
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February 18, 2009
AGBU Representatives Participate in Conference Devoted to the Repatriation Movement
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Edward Melkonian, principal scholar of the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences, reads a scholarly report on "AGBU in the Process of Repatriation." -
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Hovig Eordekian speaks about "The Repatriate about Repatriation" during the December 12-14 Conference at the Writers House in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia.
A conference devoted to "The Repatriation of 1946-1948 and its Lessons: Basic Issues of Repatriation Today" took place December 12-14, 2008 at the Writers House in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia. The event was organized by the National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan State University and Noravank Scientific-Educational Fund.
The opening of the conference took place in the Erebuni Plaza Hotel. Messages from President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, were read. Addresses were made by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian, Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobian, as well as the general director of the VivaCell Company, Ralph Yerikian, Ombudsperson of the Republic of Armenia Armen Harutiunian, and National Academy of Sciences President Radik Martirosian. Present at the opening of the conference was AGBU Central Board of Directors member Vasken Yacoubian. During the opening of the conference, a documentary film devoted to the repatriation was shown, in which the critical role played by AGBU in that historic event was highlighted.
Historians, scholars, representatives of political and public organizations, as well as numerous repatriates, participated in the conference.
Over the course of two days and in nine successive sessions, reports were presented about the basic issues of the repatriation, Stalin's endeavors in favor of cosmopolitanism, historiography of repatriation, its geography and demography, the role of Catholicos Gevorg VI Cheorekchian, as well as repatriation and historical memory. Papers were also presented about the oppressive measures to which the repatriates were subjected, linguistic issues, the present intentions of repatriation and topics of discussion pertaining to the issue of repatriation in the current diasporan Armenian press. A few repatriates from the late 1940s and diasporan Armenians currently living in Armenia spoke about their experiences adapting to the Armenian homeland.
Edward Melkonian, principal scholar of the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences, read a scholarly report on "AGBU in the Process of Repatriation," while AGBU Armenia Representation's Deputy Director Hovig Eordekian spoke about "The Repatriate about Repatriation."
In the light of the discussions, debates and exchange of opinions that took place, History Institute Director Ashot Melkonian brought a conclusion to the conference's work, saying that although the repatriation story contains sad passages, it had important significance from the standpoint of Armenia's development and increase in population.
There are plans to publish the conference papers in the future.
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