The exhibition organized by the Turkish Directorate of Communications and featuring photos by İzzet Keribar has opened with a ceremony in Manhattan.
“Akdamar Holy Cross Church Photo Exhibition” organized by the Turkish Directorate of Communications as part of a project called “Hidden Masterpieces of Anatolia Revealed” opened in New York.
The reception held at the White Space Chelsea exhibition hall in Manhattan was attended by Consul General of the Republic of Turkey to New York Alper Aktaş, Armenian Locum Tenens of the Patriarchate Sahak Mashalian, Chairman of the Union of Armenian Foundations Bedros Şirinoğlu, Turkey’s Minority Community Foundations representative Moris Levi, Chairman of Syriac Ancient Church Foundation Sait Susin, American Orthodox Church Archbishop Elpidophoros Lambriniadis as well as the representatives of Turkish and Armenian communities.
The program kicked off with Pianist Şahan Arzruni’s piano recital and was followed by the film “Hidden Masterpieces of Anatolia Revealed: Akdamar”, featuring Akdamar Church.
"Akdamar can be a place of peace again"
Speaking at the ceremony, Armenian Locum Tenens of the Patriarchate Mashalian said the exhibition of the photos of Akdamar Church, a part of the Armenian civilization that has survived thousands of years of abrasion, in New York made his wish and the wish of many others in his community come true.
Mashalian expressed his satisfaction with the interest shown at the presidential level for Akdamar Church as well as other monumental historical landmarks, and continued: “Under the leadership of the president's vision, special attention and interest was shown in the Akdamar Church. Since its opening, this monumental church received sincere appreciation from all corners of the world including Armenia and Turkey, and the church became one of Turkey’s most popular destinations for cultural and faith tourism.”
Emphasizing that Turkey's efforts to restore and promote Akdamar Church of Armenian origin and identity should be seen as a friendly invitation to Armenian people, Mashalian said: “This is a cultural initiative to overcome difficulties of communication between Turkish and Armenian people, a bridge built on goodwill for a better future and understanding.”
"It is true that Akdamar has witnessed many tragic events between the Armenian and Turkish communities, but it has also witnessed thousands of years of friendship and shared common history between the two nations. Akdamar can be a place of peace again, since it is specially equipped to fulfil this mission," he indicated.
Mashalian thanked artist Izzet Keribar, who photographed Akdamar Church, saying: “I congratulate the master artist Keribar, who captured the immortal moments of Akdamar Island and the Church through his lens and brought us feelings from the other world in this exhibition. The Master teaches us how to look at an antique monument in this exhibition.”
Expressing his gratitude to the Directorate of Communications, which pioneered the organization of the exhibition, Mashalian said the event was beyond a photography exhibition and it was indeed an initiative to introduce Turkey’s culture and the richness of civilization to the world.”
“Akdamar Church was in a miserable state”
The Chairman of the Union of Armenian Foundations Bedros Şirinoğlu indicated he was impressed by the exhibition opened in New York and said: “Akdamar Church was in a miserable state. It was restored by the Ministry of Culture upon the instructions of the President and now we can have our services there.”
Şirinoğlu underlined that the President made great efforts for minority communities, saying: “Our 187-year-old hospital did not have a license. The President helped us with many issues such as the restitution of our properties. I would like to express our gratitude to the President for all his assistance and to the Directorate of Communications for this exhibition.”
During his interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), American Orthodox Church Archbishop Elpidophoros Lambriniadis stressed that the photographs at the exhibition were very significant in terms of showing the importance attached to Christian minority in Turkey, saying: “Turkey is on the right track and it will be good to tell the entire world about this.”
Akdamar Holy Cross Church photo exhibition in New York is the second step of cultural awareness efforts initiated to introduce Turkey’s historical heritage blended with its geographical beauties to the entire world and to restore the deserved value of holy sites. The exhibition will be open to visitors until Friday. There are 88 photographs exhibited.
In addition to a book including information about the church, its architectural drawings and photos, there is also a website www.akdamarkilisesi.gov.tr where you can find detailed digital data about the church.
The website offers high resolution virtual reality videos, 360-degree photos taken from 14 different spots and photos taken through the lens of İzzet Keribar.
During the reign of the Armenian Kingdom of Vaspurakan, the construction of Akdamar Holy Cross Church on Akdamar Island started in 915 by the order of ruler Gagik and it was completed in 921. The Church stands out with its rich and rare stone reliefs, the stories of which rely on the Bible and the Torah.
The church is said to have a special place in East-West Christian art and it exhibits the most important decorations of Armenian architectural history and the most comprehensive wall reliefs of its era.