Book: History of Armenian Community of Istanbul

The Armenian community of Istanbul had to pass a long historical way and suffered serious losses and hardships before reaching our days, said turkologist Rouben Melkonian presenting the book “Essay: History of Armenian Community of Istanbul.” 

Rouben Melkonian said that the book contains Armenian and Turkish sources as well as his own studies and surveys. The book’s special focus is on Turkey’s state policy towards the ethnic minorities and, in particular, towards the Armenians.

“There were 47 Armenian schools during the times when process of establishment of the Turkish Republic got underway, there were 32 schools in 1970s, and there are only 16 with 3,000 students now,” said Rouben Melkonian. He pointed that currently only 18% of the Armenians of the community use Armenian language while 92% of young adults aged from 19 to 24, speak only Turkish.

Expert also said of mixed marriages and pointed that their number increased to 40%.

In line with surveys of Rouben Melkonian, the Armenians in Turkey are divided into three groups. The first – is very indifferent to national, religious, communal problems; this group’s Armenians are just symbolically present at the community. The second group “includes those who have been adapting, who have been meeting Turkish government’s pressure and assaults for decades.”

“And the third group is very small, and is the most active. It includes the youth that protests and claims national and religious changes. However, these activists are left-oriented and are more aimed at establishment of equal rights and not due to that they are Armenians,” said expert.

Among featured issues in the book are those related to the Constantinople Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Community’s media, its political, cultural, economical and sport spheres.

It’s worth mentioning that Armenia’s Ministry of Diaspora has granted a million drams in grant to study the current situation and conditions in the Armenian Community of Istanbul. Rouben Melkonian book’s print run is 500 copies.