Turkey's last Armenian village fears for its future: #Reuters
![]() 1403 Monday, 27 February, 2023, 20:30 The Reuters agency referred to the Armenian-inhabited village of Vakifle, whose existence was endangered following the devastating earthquake that occurred in Turkey on February 6. In Turkey's only remaining ethnic Armenian village, Vakifli, which has elderly population and not one of them died during the devastating earthquakes that struck the region. But they fear for the future of their cherished home. 30 of the village's 40 stone houses, which are single or double storey and surrounded by orange and lemon orchards, are heavily damaged, and since a third huge earthquake hit, the 130 villagers are without power. Close to the edge of the village stands the Holy Mother of God Armenian church of the 19th century. Pastor Avedis Tabasyan said the third quake had caused the most damage. Vakifli, which has around 130 Armenian inhabitants, is located in Samandagh region of Hatay province, on the slopes of Mount Musa, Turkey. The villagers speak to each other in a local Armenian dialect, known as Moses Mountain Armenian, which is diluted with Arabic and Turkish words. They are the descendants of Musaler residents who resisted the Ottoman troops during the Armenian Genocide in 1915. After World War I, the Armenian villages around Mount Musa, including Vakifl, passed to French-mandate Syria, but in 1939, Hatay was given to Turkey, and most of the Armenians living there, about 5,000, emigrated to Lebanon. The head of the village is Perch Gartun. |
UN Council: Russia responsible for downing MH17, killing 298, including 196 Dutch
35400:27Google just changed its ‘G’ logo
27800:03Police launch urgent probe into fire at Keir Starmer’s north London home
259Yesterday, 20:51Trump said he was considering a trip to Istanbul, where talks between representatives of Russia and Ukraine could take place
271Yesterday, 19:15European leaders pressure Russia over 30-day Ukraine ceasefire
259Yesterday, 18:10Trump adds a new piece of art to the Oval Office (photo)
508Yesterday, 14:57Zelensky to travel to Turkey for potential talks with Putin
45311.05.2025, 23:57Zelenskiy says: I am ready to meet Putin in Turkey on Thursday
50311.05.2025, 21:53