This year marked the 13th anniversary of the assassination of Hrant Dink, Turkish-Armenian intellectual, editor-in-chief of Agos, journalist and columnist.

On January 19, 2020, in the afternoon, a wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Armenian Martyrs’ Monument in Montebello, which was followed by requiem prayers for Hrant Dink as well as Sarkis Hatspanian, Sevak Balikci, and Prof. Vahakn Dadrian. The Rev. Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian represented the Diocesan Primate at the ceremony and requiem service.

In the evening, the Organization of Istanbul Armenians held a commemorative program in honor of Dink’s legacy. Held at the Krikor and Aved Kurkcoglu Hall, the Diocesan Primate attended the event. The program began with the invocation and requiem prayer recited by clergy members.

The event featured keynote speakers Pakrat Estukyan, Editor in Chief of the Armenian section of Agos, Roy Arakelian, prominent French-Armenian attorney, and Tamar Nalci, member of the “Friends of  Hrant” organization.

The event concluded with reflections and closing remarks themed “Two Armenian Republics. One Nation and Hrant Dink’s Prophesy 13 Years Later” by attorney Garo Ghazarian

Mr. Estukyan was honored with the 2020 OIA Hrant Dink Medal for his life time of work and contributions.