SOCIETY

In Caux town of Switzerland, Armenian, Kurdish and Turkish participants discussed the Armenian Genocide, their common past, current situation and ways of reconciliation. As part of “Just Governance for Human Security” conference, people from Armenia, Turkey, Lebanon, Spain and Netherlands discussed historical problems among Armenian, Turkish and Kurdish people, and ways for resolving those problems today.

A group of people from different circles of Armenian society gathered in front of the Patriarchate and demand a patriarchal election, which couldn’t have been done for 8 years. The group placed a black wreath on the door.

Agos responded to Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, General Vicar of Armenian Patriarch in Turkey, who is severly criticized by the Armenian society because of his letter addressed to President Erdoğan: "You define the systematic and almost complete annihilation of a people by the decision of the state itself as 'the events happened during the tragic times of World War I'; this is an affront to the ancestors, victims and the survivors in the eyes of the society to which you also belong.”

The municipality filed a lawsuit to the Administrative Court for getting back the land that was returned to Surp Pırgiç Hospital in 2014. After losing that lawsuit, the municipality appealed to Council of State. And 10th Chamber of the Council of State made an unprecedentedly quick ruling and reversed the judgment of the court by reasoning that the land that was expropriated by the municipality cannot be returned to the foundation.

Gyumri-based software development company Digital Pomegranate developed a gaming platform called 'Playland Armenia' with the support of Gulbenkian Foundation in order to teach Western Armenian to children.

Armenian society is also nervous about the recent suicide attacks. The Patriarchate made a statement to Agos about the rumors concerning the Easter that will be celebrated on next Sunday.

We talked to the Metropolite of the Diocese of Gougark of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Sebouh Chouldjian and the Primate of the Diocese of Germany of the Armenian Church Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian about their expectations from the patriarch election. After Mari Mutafyan is assigned as the guardian for the Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan, the debate about the elections started all over again.

The case for assigning a guardian for the Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan is concluded. On the hearing held on March 8, the court decided Mutafyan's mother Mari Mutafyan to be assigned as the guardian.

General Vicar of Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan announced what they are planning to do with the revenue that will be earned through Hovakim 1461 Foundation.

Historical ceremony in Kayseri Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Church revealed that there are Armenian refugees in Turkish cities other than Yozgat.