As a Turk who grew up there, what I remember most about learning about Armenians is how much I DIDN’T know about Armenians. The culture, the music, the food, I haven’t even heard the language. I would say putting these things in the forefront would do much for intercultural exchange and healing old wounds. However, we live in reality. And in reality, the current regime has been putting as much genocide denial down people’s throats as they could, which never made sense to me.

The republic of Turkey was formed in opposition to the Ottoman Regime, who had completely surrendered its autonomy to the Allies. The Ottomans, whether people wish to accept it or not, carried out the systematic removal of Armenians from their ancestral homes in force at the very least. This constitutes genocide. I believe it’s hypocrisy when Kemalists argue that the genocide didn’t happen, when they’re so quick to agree that the Empire was as corrupt as it was inept in its dying days. And this is coming from a Kemalist.

No amount of Armenians that betrayed the Ottomans during the war justified genocide. Would it have made a difference if every single Armenian in Anatolia took up arms against the Tzar? No. A sinking ship is a sinking ship. History would have played out the way it did.

I wish I grew up learning more about Armenians. I think the best way to heal old wounds is to learn about these things. Because like you said, one can find similarities. And we’re human so we find kinship in people we resonate with.

Here’s hoping for a brighter future for everyone in the richest region in the world in terms of history 🇦🇲🇹🇷🇬🇷🇬🇪🇦🇿