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02.06.2008

RETURN OF THE MALATIAN CRIPTO ARMENIANS TO THEIR ORIGIN

   

Ruben Melkonyan

_image (original) We have not once spoken about different phenomena occurred among the cripto Armenians inhabited in Turkey and out of its borders such as conversion of religion, returning to their sources and origin. As the facts have come to prove they are motivated by different reasons.

On May 28 a few of the Turkish mass media, including the well known CNN-Turk, Milliyet, DHA (“Doghan” new agency) announced that one of the popular musicians of Malatia, Kazim Akinji announced about his Armenian origin, officially converted his religion and adopted Christianity. Besides, He turned to the Supreme Court claiming for his name to be changed. In the statement of claim he has mentioned that from that day on he wanted to be called Sargis Nersisyan.

It is quite interesting what reason that cripto Armenia had to convert his religion. Kazim Akinji or Sargis Nersisyan, who was living in Malatia with his mother and was earning his leaving by recording his songs and selling his discs, confesses: “I live in Malatia and I’m of Armenian origin, however, my family have long been concealing this reality with unduly fear even from themselves. After the assassination of the Journalist Hrant Dink the grief I felt made me not to hide my identity any more. I’m quite a beloved person in my midst, and people love me not because I’m Kazim or Sargis, but beacause I am what I am. And if it is really so, there is no sense for me to conceal my real identity or to be afraid.” according to the Malatia department of “Ihlas” news agency, the musician wants to issue a new disc, this time, however, by his new name, Sargis Harutyunyan and while interpreting this he also added: “To avoid misunderstanding I just want to say that there is no discrimination, I am just what I am.”

As you can see, the incentive of this cripto Armenian to return to his origin was Hrant Dink’s assassination. This is a confession and self-revelation of one more Armenian, however, the future of Malatia inhabited Sargis Nersisyan as an Armenian is quite vague. And this very vagueness and fear makes many Armenians to continue their hidden mode of life.

The existence of cripto Armenians in Turkey and the processes among them are a kind of reality that one can’t turn a blind eye, however, at the same time one should have a clear-cut idea about obvious and hidden tracks and propaganda tricks to be faced.


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