P13: Female - Tr - Yavaş Gamats

EXPECTATION
Everything, every phenomenons must be discussed in the world. So, in my opinion, persons who come to this organization, are ready to talk and discuss this topic.

Armenians and Turkish people had shared common culture, earth, air, sadness and struggle in the past, in mutual history for a long time. Right now we will share the same area in order to listen our personal ideas, different beliefs and to pull down prejudice and wrong knowledges. I would like to learn different approaches and views, visions.

Of course I don’t want to accept to genocide claims, but; if “genocide” is spoken (for not only Armenian but also Turkish people) worldwide, it means there is a problem in the middle. We have to talk this. We being third generation (after conflicts)- know as much as teached us. So this summer school will be a opportunity for getting information that I’ve ever heard maybe, and developing friendship between us. I hope everybody leave there being happy and different.

11.08.05
I really enjoyed yesterday. We started with group working in yesterday morning. I was glad in order to be in Murat Belge’s lecture. Then I have learned a little bit Hatay’s history from lecturer Sevan Nisanyan. Lunch, dinner etc…
At night we went to dance all together and it was really funny. I love Armenian friends, in my opinion this area is the big chance for us and nice opportunity in order to know each other. I love night in here because after lectures, everybody laughs and enjoys. For beginning that’s all I think. I wonder coming days. I’m waiting by exciting. Everything is ok!

12.08.05
Yesterday was a funny day! I enjoyed so much and we did shopping. We went to Harbiye and saw waterfall but it wasn’t like my imagine, it was a little waterfall. Than we had dinner there. We sang songs and enjoyed. At the end of the night we returned to the hotel. I felt not so good and tired. I think I’ll be ill. :) The most interesting thing yesterday was St. Pierre Church. I loved it. As a result, I love everyday in here!

13.08.05
Today was a full day. Lectures were benefit also! We met actually all lecturers again in the lectures. We talked about the role of civil society (conflicts and peace) with Emel Kurma and mentioned about globalization with Murat Belge, Ferhat Kentel and Nazan Maksudyan. But the most enjoyable lecture was Markar Esayan’s. We have learned Armenian numbers and sentences. Also Armenian friends have learned simple Turkish sentences. It was great actually! Everyday is full and wonderful! I’m so happy to be here and meet these people.

14.08.05
Hey! Today was wonderful! We went to Vakifli Koy and joined the celebration. It was impressing!
Then we went to seaside! It was a great idea! Sea was dirty and hot but however we enjoyed. At night we ate fish and sang songs there, and returned to hotel. But there was a surprise in the hotel. It was a wedding and so enjoyable songs. We danced and then I slept like a baby! That’s all for today! Bye!

16.08.05
Yesterday was actually full of happiness. First of all we went to Orthodox church, after lectures. Then we returned to hotel and after dinner all together we went to Harbiye again and did shopping. I bought pillow covers. After that we went to lunapark and enjoyed so much. We jumped on the trampoline and laughed so much. I didn’t want to come back. Anyway I love all people who came here! I don’t actually want to return to Istanbul right now!

Support to the Armenia-Turkey Normalisation Process is a programme implemented by a Consortium of eight civil society organisations from both countries with the financial assistance of the European Union under the Instrument for Stability.

The overall objective of the programme is to promote civil society efforts towards the normalisation of relations between Turkey and Armenia and towards an open border by enhancing people-to-people contacts, expanding economic and business links, promoting cultural and educational activities and facilitating access to balanced information in both societies.

The Consortium partners include Civilitas Foundation (CF), Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), Public Journalism Club (PJC), Regional Studies Center (RSC) from Armenia; and Anadolu Kültür, the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV), Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (hCa), and Hrant Dink Foundation from Turkey. The programme will include a series of activities such as media support, TV talk shows and citizen reporting to contribute to better mutual understanding.

The programme will also include travelling discussions; workshops and trainings for youth and teachers; exchange of artists, architects, and entrepreneurs; fellowship opportunities and travel support to enhance encounters and cooperation across the border. Research on business and economic opportunities; celebrity discussions about the past; and opinion exchanges of high-level former officials will also be a part of the programme.

One of the main pillars of the Programme is inclusiveness – to engage and support new actors in the dialogue process. To this end, the Consortium created a Grant Scheme to invite individuals and civil society organisations from Armenia and Turkey - other than the Consortium members - to propose and implement their own project ideas, which will contribute to the overall objective of the Programme and multiply the shared outcomes.

The results of all activities will be shared with the public through the trilingual website, which will serve as a networking tool featuring the overall picture of the past, current, and future developments in Armenia-Turkey dialogue initiatives.

For further information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.