Today is the day of remembrance for Hrant Dink, the Istanbul-Armenian journalist and editor-in-chief of Agos.
The intellectual, known for his fearless statements and politically pronounced stance, was killed 14 years ago today in front of the Agos editorial office, opening a new chapter in Turkey’s intellectual and political life.
Despite the numerous threats he received every day, Hrant Dink continued his struggle against the transformation of Turkey — a struggle that was directed not only against Turks, but also against Armenians who carried the burden of the genocide, had not freed themselves from its negative impact, and had entered the 21st century.
Not only the Armenian people but also Turkey’s progressive intelligentsia rose up against Hrant Dink’s murder, giving rise to the slogan “We are all Hrant.”
It should be recalled that Dink was killed on 19 January 2007. In 2012, by court decision, Yasin Hayal, the organiser of Dink’s murder, was sentenced to life imprisonment, while Ogün Samast, who carried out the killing, was sentenced to 22 years in prison. In 2014, the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court decided to retry Dink’s murder case.
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The commemoration ceremony held every year at the site where Hrant Dink was killed will this year take place online due to pandemic restrictions.
The “Friends of Hrant” platform announced that the commemoration will take place on Tuesday, 19 January at 14:45, at www.hranticinadaleticin.org.
Only family members will be present at the site where Hrant was killed, and their tribute will again be broadcast online.
The organisers note that the online memorial is being held only because of this year’s pandemic conditions, and in the coming years the memorial will take place in the traditional manner.
Other events
This year, due to pandemic restrictions, events planned by various organisations will also take place online.
Nor Zartonk will bring together Mahir Özkan, İnci Hekimoğlu, Turgut Öker, Gayane Ayvazyan, Adrian Lomlomjian, Yekta Türkelmaz, Aris Nalcı and Alin Ozinyan on Sunday, 17 January at 17:00, who will deliver speeches.
The “DurDe” platform has organised a meeting on Saturday afternoon, 16 January, at which Fethiye Çetin, Bülent Aydın, Canan Coşkun, Fatma Aydoğur and Tibet Şahin will speak.
The online programme organised by the Çağrı journal will take place on Saturday, 23 January 2021 at 20:00, chaired by Bagrat Estukyan.
