Turkey Renovates Armenian Monuments As Gesture
In this Sept. 11, 2008 file photo, the Church of Tigran Honents at Ani is seen in the Turkey-Armenia border province of Kars, Turkey. Turkey has launched a project to conserve an ancient cathedral and a church in what is seen as a gesture of reconciliation toward neighboring Armenia. Photo: Burhan Ozbilici / AP
Turkey and Armenia have been locked in a bitter dispute for decades over the mass killings of Armenians in Turkey in the last years of the Ottoman Empire. Efforts to normalize relations have been dealt a setback by the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan is a close Muslim ally of Turkey.
Turkey, however, says it is committed to improving ties with Armenia, and has already restored the 10th century Akdamar church, perched on a rocky island in Lake Van in eastern Turkey. It has also allowed once-yearly worship at the site as a gesture to Armenia and its own ethnic Armenian minority.
- Published in Culture & Art
- Written by Admin TOA
Young Turkish violinist Burcu Göker, known as the "new diva of the violin," will perform at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall in May. Göker will perform at Carnegie Hall together with American pianist Eric Jenkins on May 2, a statement from the Turkish Culture Ministry said Wednesday. After their concert in New York, the two musicians will come to Turkey and stage performances in five provinces as well as northern Cyprus starting May 9, the statement said.
Famed lawyer Mark Geragos -- one of the most outspoken people in the L.A. Armenian community -- is furious that Cosmopolitan ran a picture of Kim Kardashian on the cover of Turkish Cosmo, saying it's another example of Turks rubbing salt in the wound of the Armenian people.
Turkey's television drama industry has played a pivotal role in enhancing the country's popularity in the Arab world. "Five years ago the image of Turkey was that of the oppressive Ottoman Empire," Joseph Husseini of Bright I in Lebanon, a media training facility, told Xinhua, adding "the first year Gumus was broadcast, Turkey became the top travel destination."
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of Evliya Çelebi, the famous 17th century Turkish traveler who journeyed across the Ottoman Empire and neighboring lands over a period of four decades.
Istanbul (CNN) -- Turkish singer and actor Ibrahim Tatlises was in critical condition Monday after being shot in the head by unknown assailants early Monday morning, his doctor said on television.
To commemorate Turkey's second ambassador in Washington Münir Ertegün and his sons Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegün, the Turkish Embassy in Washington will host a series of jazz concerts. The first concert took place Tuesday with a performance by the Grammy-nominated Orrin Evans Trio. The event drew great interest
Mardin has long been a favorite destination for local film and TV series producers and has now started to attract Hollywood producers as well. With its architectural, cultural and social texture and a history dating back some 7,000 years, Mardin has lured many local directors for movies, documentaries, TV series and clips.
For the first time, two ads tied for the top Super Bowl commercial as selected by consumer panelists rating the ads as they aired in the game for USA TODAY'S 23rd annual exclusive Ad Meter. Both starred dogs acting like, well, people.
U.S. forward Jozy Altidore has joined Turkish side Bursa on a six month loan from Spain's Villarreal. Altidore, 22, is the second striker to join the defending Turkish champions in the transfer window, as Kenny Miller also signed from Scotland's Rangers. The American made just two appearances off the bench for Villarreal in La Liga and his only goals were in the early stages of the Copa del Rey, the country's league cup. 
Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving soldier to have served on the Western Front during World War One will turn 110 tomorrow and two artists have united to share his legacy with the world. Buckles now becomes the oldest person to become a filmmaker. Frank Woodruff Buckles was born in 1901 and has survived WWI, WWII, is lobbying for a National World War One Memorial in DC, is the oldest person to have ever testified before senate and can now add film producer to his resume.
