Armenian church unable to receive EU award due to Turkey curfew

PanARMENIAN.Net - Surp Giragos Armenian Church in Turkey's Diyarbakir won 2015 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award for its restoration, but cannot receive the prize because of the curfew in Sur. The ceremony will be held in Istanbul on May 5, Agos reports.

Left to its own fate for years, Surp Giragos Church was finally restored with Armenian community's efforts and opened to worship in 2011.

Europa Nostra is the most prestigious restoration award in Europe. There were 263 applicants, with only 28 projects winning the prize in different categories.

A ceremony was planned to be held in the church, where a prize plaquet would be attached to the wall of the church. It is forbidden to enter the province, however.

The ceremony will thus be held in the Patriarchate in Istanbul, with Europa Nostra Turkey Representative Nuran Zeren Gülersoy, Archbishop Aram Ateşyan and Diyarbakir Surp Giragos Armenian Church Foundation Chair Ergun Ayık attending the ceremony.

Assoc. Prof. Meral Halifeoğlu, who conducted the renovation project, will make a presentation about the restoration process.

European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage is given to structures and projects having a cultural heritage status. There are four categories: conservation, research, dedicated service by individuals or organizations, and education, training and awareness-raising.

Built in 17th century, Surp Giragos Church's bell tower was destroyed by cannonballs in 1914 and after 1915, it became deserted. The restoration started in 2010, implemented through the contributions of Surp Giragos Church Foundation, NGOs and individuals.