Hrant Dink Memorial Forest
The Armenian Tree Project (ATP) is planning to plant a forest of 53,000 trees in memory of Hrant Dink. The organization seems to like undertaking symbolic actions, but I would never have expected something like this.
Hrant Dink was a brave and principled man. He was killed by people who hated him for what he was and what he said. His death was a loss to the Armenian community in Istanbul and around the world. Perhaps this tragedy will serve as a catalyst for change in Turkey. Over one hundred thousand people marched in his funeral procession in Istanbul, many of them carrying signs saying, “We are all Hrant.”
All the Armenians I know are talking about how to pay tribute to Hrant. A group of donors called Jeff Masarjian at ATP last week and suggested that we plant a memorial forest of 53,000 trees–1,000 trees for each of Hrant’s fifty-three years. Because that’s what we do–plant trees in Armenia–we thought this was something we could offer in Hrant Dink’s memory. I am hoping that you will join us in creating this living tribute to a courageous and exemplary man.
Anyway, I hope this initiative is genuine and not just an attempt to cash in on Dink’s death. I still find it ironic that Dink was not known and/or respected by most Armenians in the Diaspora — until his death, that is.
The ATP is already soliciting donations on its web site. Not sure if many people will take this idea seriously, but Armenia needs trees, so why not? I wonder if any donations will come from Turkey?
Thinking about this now, I have to wonder whether permission to use Hrant Dink’s name has been sought from his family in Turkey. I’m not sure this is appropriate without permission being granted first. Otherwise, what’s to stop every Tom Dick, and Harry from setting up Hrant Dink money-raising campaigns for their own activities.
Doesn’t seem right to me. Does anybody know what laws and codes of ethics generally apply for such things — if any? Of course, if the Armenian Tree Project have approached Hrant Dink’s family, which I would imagine they should do if only out of decency, it’s another matter. However, there’s no mention of that in their press release or on their site so far.
Basically, I hope Hrant Dink’s family are aware of this donation campaign and that they are considering setting up a foundation to control any future use of his name and to raise money themselves for projects he would have wanted rather than others seeking to exploit the media coverage surrounding his death.
For sure, I am not accusing the ATP of that, although the lack of any reference to this fundraising campaign meeting with the approval of his family gives me justifiable grounds for concern. I hope those concerns are unfounded.
Comment by Onnik — January 30, 2007 @ 2:58 am
I contacted Nancy Kricorian regarding your comment, and she confirms that the Dink family has been contacted regarding the Tree project in his memory.
Here’s a link containing information.
http://www.armeniatree.org/
Cheers, Lola
Comment by Lola Koundakjian — January 31, 2007 @ 6:44 am
Still no word to that effect on the ATP web site as of writing this comment. I think this is a huge mistake by the organization if Dink’s family hae given their approval. If I were to donate to a project in the name of someone recently murdered I would first want to know that it has his family’s official blessing. The ATP have still not officially clarified this on their site which I think is wrong, to be honest.
Anyway, I still hope that Dink’s family establish a Memorial Fund in his name. Would seem like a suitable thing to do, and a way to keep his memory alive in Armenia and Turkey by funing specific projects aiming to achieve what Dink tried to do in life. How about a forest that straddles the Armenia-Turkish border, for example, and gets inhabitants of villages on both sides involved in caring for it.
At the very least, a forest on the Armenian side of the border would be symbolic.
Comment by Onnik — January 31, 2007 @ 9:42 am
I completely agree with a forest straddling the borders, if only…
Comment by Paul — January 31, 2007 @ 6:27 pm