Turkish music companies have begun to move to secure the copyrights to the works of legendary Armenian artist Rupen Hakverdian, whose songs have been popular across Europe. Conveying his love to Turkish intellectuals working for reconciliation between Turks and Armenians, Hakverdian says, ‘Stay away from nationalism; ignorance feeds nationalism’

Illustrating the cultural exchange that occurs despite continued political tension, the works of legendary Armenian musician Rupen Hakverdian are now set for release in the Turkish market as local companies queue to secure copyrights for the music. Read more…

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The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee postponed a vote on Matthew Bryza, who has been nominated by the Barack Obama administration as the U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan, in response to pressure from Armenian lobby groups.

The Armenian lobby in the United States has accused Bryza of incompetence and bias. He was also allegedly criticized because of his spouse, Zeyno Baran, who is Turkish.

The U.S. Foreign Relations Committee approved the nominations on more than 30 ambassadorial appointees but a “hold-over” request from Senator Barbara Boxer delayed the vote on Bryza. Read more…

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Ignoring the calls of their national press to boycott Turkey, many Armenians are choosing the Turkish Mediterranean coast for their summer vacations.

According to travel-agency figures, 50,000 Armenian tourists visited the southern Turkish province of Antalya in 2009 and such visitors are from the highest income bracket.

Narine Davityan, the manager of Tez Tour, believes the southern town of Bodrum, in Muğla province, will dethrone Antalya next year as an attraction for Armenian tourists. Adding that the tours Tez organizes to both locations would continue through October, Davityan told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review: “The prices are climbing depending on the season. Despite the price increase, there is not the slightest decline in demand.” Read more…

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Armenian-American lawyers filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against the Turkish government and two banks seeking compensation for the heirs of Armenians whose property was allegedly seized nearly a century ago as they were driven from the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

Lawyers were seeking class-action status for the suit, a process that attorney Brian Kabateck said could take as long as three years. “We are rolling up our sleeves and are going forward,” he said. Read more…

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The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing on Wednesday morning titled “Turkey’s New Foreign Policy Direction: Implication for U.S.-Turkish Relations.”

The chairman of the Committee, Mr. Howard Berman, in his opening statement described the meeting as “the first full-committee hearing devoted exclusively to Turkey” because of questions “about Turkey’s orientation and its ongoing commitment to strategic partnership with the United States.” Therefore, the hearing was in essence to discuss whether Turkey is changing its direction from west to east, a claim that the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, has vehemently opposed. Read more…

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