Zakaria Mildanoglu: Turks were turning Armenian churches into cinemas where they were screening porn films
27/04/2013
Ermenihaber.am news website published an interview of architect, Istanbul-based Agos daily’s correspondent Zakaria Mildanoglu with “It’s your word” TV program, in which he told about the misfortunes that fell upon his family in 1915 as well as about the reasons why he moved to Istanbul.
Mildanoglu also told about the fate of Armenian churches in Turkey.
“Cultural massacre was being perpetrated after the 1950s – Armenian churches and schools were being destroyed. There is factual proof of it. Turkey is carrying a heavy burden. At the same time, restoration works are currently being carried out. But I would like to mention one thing: once Turks were turning Armenian churches into cinemas where they were mainly screening porn films. There is also factual evidence of that,” Mildanoglu said.
The Agos daily’s correspondent told two real stories about the fate of Armenian churches in Turkey.
“Treasure seekers are still making searches on the cemetery of our village. A horrifying cultural destruction was carried out there. The village church no longer exists. My mother remembers how it was destroyed. Kazim Karabekir, marching to the East, gave an order. He said, “I must not see this church when I am back.” And the church was pulled down.”
The Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church on Aghtamar Island was saved from destruction thanks to the efforts of Yasar Kemal, a reporter for Cumhuriyet newspaper. “If Yasar Kemal had not gone there, that church would not exist today,” the architect concluded.
