The Last Armenian Living in Amasia

Turkish newspaper ‘‘Djumhuriet’’ has represented the everyday life and problems of the last Armenian living in Amasia. Herein we present part of that article.

''The last Armenian living in Amasia is Rafael Altunian (Faruk Altun by passport). Almost no one is aware of his identity, because he lives disguising it. To avoid the pressure and estrangement and live like  others he has changed his name.  The house, where he spent his childhood was confiskated by theTown Halland now there is a religious seminary in the place where his ancesters' graves had been.Hesays that because of being Armenian he was bullied at school and beaten inthearmy.

''I've been living here since the day of my birth and I want to be buried in this land. One cannot deny his own identity: I am Armenian, I am Christian. I have always been oppressed, sometimes my rights were violated and when I am asked about my origins I always try to avoid answering.  People surrounding me always call me an emigrant; actually emigrants are they who call me so. The respect and the tolerance that I show to this society is not mutual. I would like to live in an atmosphere where I can freely talk about my identity'' says Rafael Altunyan.

Artak Zargaryan has translated the text from Turkish into Armenian, and then it has been translated into English by Davit Nikoghsyan and Hovhannes Aleqyan