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Two Close Peoples Two Distant Neighbours
Etyen Mahçupyan's
Hrant Dink never had a published book. He, too, used to make fun of this and say, 'I am a writer without a book.' Of course, this joke also points to an important Hrant was a true man of action. However, as the founder and chief editor of AGOS, he contributed to the democratization process of Turkey as he developed discourses and actions on the most deeply-rooted problems of Turkey, including, most significantly, Turkish-Armenian relations.
This work, which he wrote for TESEV, is the only book he had the opportunity to finish. Here, with the common future he envisages for Turkey and Armenia, he exhibits a completely new perspective that also declares its desire to repair the past. Although the book was not published when it was first written, Hrant Dink did not care about that… The work had already been done, the labour would not be wasted. After all, there was still a lot of time to make new additions…
His labour was also his cause. Today, it is more important than ever to understand that cause.
So that neither life, nor death, are wasted…
Hrant Dink never had a published book. He, too, used to make fun of this and say, 'I am a writer without a book.' Of course, this joke also points to an important Hrant was a true man of action. However, as the founder and chief editor of AGOS, he contributed to the democratization process of Turkey as he developed discourses and actions on the most deeply-rooted problems of Turkey, including, most significantly, Turkish-Armenian relations.
This work, which he wrote for TESEV, is the only book he had the opportunity to finish. Here, with the common future he envisages for Turkey and Armenia, he exhibits a completely new perspective that also declares its desire to repair the past. Although the book was not published when it was first written, Hrant Dink did not care about that… The work had already been done, the labour would not be wasted. After all, there was still a lot of time to make new additions…
His labour was also his cause. Today, it is more important than ever to understand that cause.
So that neither life, nor death, are wasted…
124 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2008
6 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Hrant Dink
9 books15 followersHrant Dink was an Turkish-Armenian editor, journalist and columnist. As editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos, Dink was a prominent member of the Armenian minority in Turkey. Dink was best known for advocating Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and human and minority rights in Turkey.
Hrant Dink was assassinated in Istanbul in January 2007, by Ogün Samast, a 17-year old Turkish nationalist.
The Hrant Dink Foundation was established in his name to continue his legacy.
Hrant Dink was assassinated in Istanbul in January 2007, by Ogün Samast, a 17-year old Turkish nationalist.
The Hrant Dink Foundation was established in his name to continue his legacy.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 19, 2017
Ahparig… He was the peace dove… They didnot understand him, nor Diaspora, nor Armenian people, nor Turkish people.
He was the defender of conscience. Conscience that we have lost during 1915s.
Two close peoples, two distant neighbours… He has spoken such a sincere way, as he always did, in this book. His statements were not just rational but also sincere and beneficial for both sides. He was the symbol of empathy that has been telling “let us understand each other, each other’s pain”
He was aware of the tricks of West. Thats why he has been calling Armenian and Turkish people to sit and talk.
There is a lot to say about him, his precious statements. All of them are endlessly worthy.
Hopefully, one day peace will come, and again we will be one body that will live on these lands with dignity, love, compassion and peace.
And one more thing, my conscience is Armenian! 🇦🇲
He was the defender of conscience. Conscience that we have lost during 1915s.
Two close peoples, two distant neighbours… He has spoken such a sincere way, as he always did, in this book. His statements were not just rational but also sincere and beneficial for both sides. He was the symbol of empathy that has been telling “let us understand each other, each other’s pain”
He was aware of the tricks of West. Thats why he has been calling Armenian and Turkish people to sit and talk.
There is a lot to say about him, his precious statements. All of them are endlessly worthy.
Hopefully, one day peace will come, and again we will be one body that will live on these lands with dignity, love, compassion and peace.
And one more thing, my conscience is Armenian! 🇦🇲
June 20, 2020
“Marmara Ereğlisi’nde, deniz kenarındaki yazlığının bahçesinde bol bol domates, biber, mısır, ayçekirdeği yetiştiren, ama bir tek ağaç dikmeyen Ferman Dayı, soranlara bunun nedenini şu cümlelerle açıklar: “Dikmem arkadaş. Yaşantımın her anında, her gittiğim yerde ağaç diktim ama meyvelerini başkaları yedi. Ben yiyemedim. Onun için burada artık ağaç dikmiyorum. Günübirlik, kendi yiyeceğim sebzemi yetiştiriyorum, o kadar işte.” Yurttaşını güvenlik konsepti içerisinde değerlendiren devlete karşı kendini güvensiz hisseden yurttaşın bu ruh hali, durumun vehametini yeterince anlatmaktadır.”
September 12, 2019
I was surprised to find this book at Mephisto's bookshop on Istiklal Caddesi and I bought it without question.
Hrant Dink writes with a level of emotional understanding rare in this genre. This is not a diatribe against the 'Turk' but an incredibly important meditation on the relationship of two peoples wrought with distrust and hate.
Dink maintains a steady balance of detailed analysis with a steady writing style that is very readable to someone unacquainted with the subject matter.
I only wish this was not the only book by Hrant Dink that we will be able to read.
Hrant Dink writes with a level of emotional understanding rare in this genre. This is not a diatribe against the 'Turk' but an incredibly important meditation on the relationship of two peoples wrought with distrust and hate.
Dink maintains a steady balance of detailed analysis with a steady writing style that is very readable to someone unacquainted with the subject matter.
I only wish this was not the only book by Hrant Dink that we will be able to read.
August 25, 2015
Hrant Dink, both a Turkish citizen and an Armenian, argues in this book that Turkey and Armenia need to take control of their relationship and focus on what can be achieved through cooperation today, rather than letting the Armenian diaspora in the West or Western politicians themselves define the terms of their relationship from the perspective of historical grievances.
September 11, 2024
Nine days before his assassination, Dink wrote that he had a pigeon-like unease of spirit. At the time, his flighty demeanor was heightened by escalating surveillance amidst a racist sham trial: "Yes, I may feel like I have the spiritual unease of a pigeon, but I do know that people do not harm pigeons in this country. Pigeons lead their lives deep into the cities, among people. Yes, somewhat timid, but just as free."
Dink was the organized and literary leader of Istanbul Armenians. Perhaps like a pigeon, he was free in imagination and not at all idle. He devoted his life to fight for justice for Armenians while simultaneously stitching together Turks and Armenians as Anatolian siblings, whom he considered toxically intertwined in a relationship battered by trauma, paranoia, and European meddling. Extremist flanks of both groups considered him a fifth column. But in response to a diaspora that perceived his community with suspicion for speaking Turkish and living in Turkish society, he upheld that they should not be at the bottom of the diasporic hierarchy but at the very top. After all, he argues, they accomplish the two most formidable goals at once: one, remaining in Turkey, and two, remaining Armenian.
As intrinsic to his city as pigeons, the seagulls he fed off the back of ferries, and the fish he caught of the coast of Kınalıada, Dink was a man who exhibited the potential of Istanbul itself. He himself was a bridge between worlds, not as a symbol or as a result of imperial glory but as a man devoted to and among people.
In the book, one strand that he repeats and repeats is that justice and reparations cannot precede interactions but are born from them. Truth does not spring from thin air, but is triumphant through open discussion and debate in a democracy with open archives and a diverse civil society.
How can we begin to honor such a life? Hundreds of thousands of mourners may have started the process, declaring at his funeral procession that we are all Hrant Dink, we are all Armenian. And now, to act..
Hepimiz Hrant Dink'iz / Em Hemû Hrantın/ Hepimiz Ermeniyiz / Menk Polorys Hay Enk
(Turkish / Kurdish / Turkish / Western Armenian)
Dink was the organized and literary leader of Istanbul Armenians. Perhaps like a pigeon, he was free in imagination and not at all idle. He devoted his life to fight for justice for Armenians while simultaneously stitching together Turks and Armenians as Anatolian siblings, whom he considered toxically intertwined in a relationship battered by trauma, paranoia, and European meddling. Extremist flanks of both groups considered him a fifth column. But in response to a diaspora that perceived his community with suspicion for speaking Turkish and living in Turkish society, he upheld that they should not be at the bottom of the diasporic hierarchy but at the very top. After all, he argues, they accomplish the two most formidable goals at once: one, remaining in Turkey, and two, remaining Armenian.
As intrinsic to his city as pigeons, the seagulls he fed off the back of ferries, and the fish he caught of the coast of Kınalıada, Dink was a man who exhibited the potential of Istanbul itself. He himself was a bridge between worlds, not as a symbol or as a result of imperial glory but as a man devoted to and among people.
In the book, one strand that he repeats and repeats is that justice and reparations cannot precede interactions but are born from them. Truth does not spring from thin air, but is triumphant through open discussion and debate in a democracy with open archives and a diverse civil society.
How can we begin to honor such a life? Hundreds of thousands of mourners may have started the process, declaring at his funeral procession that we are all Hrant Dink, we are all Armenian. And now, to act..
Hepimiz Hrant Dink'iz / Em Hemû Hrantın/ Hepimiz Ermeniyiz / Menk Polorys Hay Enk
(Turkish / Kurdish / Turkish / Western Armenian)
January 19, 2022
Hezar rehmet ser te be mamoste ye heja.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews