A presentation by Ara Sarafian (Gomidas Institute)

at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America,
3325 N Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA,
on
September 20, 2023, at 7 p.m

Kharpert (Harput) has been a multi-cultural city with an Armenian presence dating back to antiquity. Armenians were a significant part of the region until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. They had their own schools, churches, and national institutions. They shared much of their local culture with their Turkish, Kurdish, and Assyrian neighbors. Many Armenians today still trace their family histories to Kharpert and surrounding villages.

ProjectKharpert2022 was launched on the 100th anniversary of the final departure of Armenian refugee-survivors from the region in 1922. It was initiated by the Gomidas Institute to engage Turkish authorities and integrate the memory of Armenians into the narrative-landscape of Kharpert and its surrounding regions today. Kharpert is currently being developed by Turkish authorities as a historical city for touristic purposes.

The core of ProjectKharpert2022 entails a solid, "academic" understanding of this region, as well as an awareness of current developments on the ground, for informed engagement with Turkish authorities today. The project is led by historian Ara Sarafian, the executive director of the Gomidas Institute. This project was launched with the support of the Kharpert Cultural Association in the United States and other benefactors.

In this illustrated presentation, Ara Sarafian will introduce ProjectKharpert2022 as it was launched a year ago, the progress that has been made, and a range of options that lie ahead. His presentation will include visual materials, some never seen before.

ProjectKharpert2022 represents a forward-looking diasporan voice in Turkey today. The Gomidas Institute has been present in Turkey with a range of such projects since 2006. 
 
* Gomidas Institute is an independent academic institution dedicated to modern Armenian studies and research. It has been active for three decades with its cutting-edge research, academic activism, and over 100 publications. The Institute has been particularly active with peacebuilding initiatives across Turkey, such as organizing or participating in conferences, various exhibitions, commemorative events, book presentations, and much more. Ara Sarafian is an archival scholar and the executive director of the Gomidas Institute.