Hrant Dink Has Twice the Honor at UCLA

Hrant Dink Has Twice the Honor at UCLA
by Melida Nazarian

Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink can be described as a hero, role model, and a teacher for many. Thus, naturally, thousands mourned him the world over after his tragic death on January 19 outside his office in Istanbul where he was shot.
The 53-year-old Hrant Dink may have died- but remembrance events such as the ones held at UCLA are signs that his legacy will not.
The Armenian Students’ Association, the Armenian Graduate Students’ Association, and the UCLA Armenian Studies program organized a vigil on Wednesday, January 24 to celebrate the late Dink’s accomplishments.
Bruin Plaza filled with students as well as adults to pay respect to the man who was not afraid to speak up.
The event opened with a poem written and recited by Adam Garrie, a student of Professor Hovannisian (see poem on page 3). Speakers included Glendale City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian, Raffi Kassakhian of the AGSA, and Chris Khachatryan of the ASA. There were also speakers from the Darfur Action Committee. Student Narine Tadevosyan sang “Yeraz im Hayrenik” beautifully.After a moment of silence, students ended the vigil by placing flowers under Hrant Dink’s picture.
UCLA Armenian Studies Program, Center for Near Eastern Studies, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Cultures, and the Organization of Istanbul Armenians and Initiative of Turkish Students organized a Tribute to the editor-in-chief Hrant Dink on February 25. The tribute began with an opening by UCLA Professor Richard Hovannisian following a moment of silence and continued with brief reflections, comments, addresses, two music interludes, and a video presentation called “Our Hrant.” The tribute concluded with the traditional Halva and Refreshments.
Friends and collogues remembered him as one of us but yet someone extraordinary. Some believed he was a fairy tale, too good to be true.
They talked about Hrant and his vision of dialogue between everybody, not only Turks and Armenians. He talks about universal principles not specifics. He criticized Turkey of not acknowledging the Armenian genocide which occurred over nine decades ago.
He was a fresh mind who touched many hearts.
Dink’s non-violent ways are reminiscent of great men such as Martin Luther King and Gandhi.
He is sure to live on in our memories and hearts as a true hero for not just his people, but for all people around the world.