Arto Tunçboyacıyan - Yaşar Kurt: 'against hatred and animosity'

*via Hürriyet

ISTANBUL - Arto Tunçboyacıyan, a famous musician and composer of Armenian origin who lives in the United States, and Yaşar Kurt, who learned of his Armenian origins after the age of 40, have produced an album in Armenia giving messages ’against hate, animosity’

The paths of two Anatolian musicians crossed at Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. One is Arto Tunçboyacıyan, world famous musician and composer from the United States, and the other is Yaşar Kurt, one of Turkey's most important musicians who learned from his great-uncle that he was of Armenian origin at the age of 40.

Kurt, who says it was a shock for him to learn the truth about his identity, went to Armenia in 2007 upon the invitation of Tunçboyacıyan to satisfy his curiosity about his culture, which he knew nothing about. At that time, the assassination of Hrant Dink, editor in chief for the Agos newspaper, occurred in Turkey. Having the sensitivity of a musician, Tunçboyacıyan composed "Nefrete ve Kine Karşı" (Against Hatred and Animosity) and decided to start a joint project with Kurt as soon as they came together.

Tunçboyacıyan and Kurt have started recording with the Armenian Naval Band, which Tunçboyacıyan had formed a decade ago with other Armenian musicians, and completed an album that included the mentioned song. Tunçboyacıyan sang in Armenian and Kurt in Turkish. The duo recorded the album in a short period but met problems when they decided to release the album in Turkey. Although they were covering for all the expenses, record companies were not into the idea of releasing "Nefret ve Kine Karşı," according to Kurt. The duo did not give up hope and finally signed a contract with Arma Müzik. The album, which raises a voice against hatred and animosity in two languages, will be released in the coming days.

Kurt spoke to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review and expressed his feelings. "Big pains were experienced in the past. Those pains influenced my life. I learned about my Armenian roots when I was 40. If we honestly want to reach the truth, as Turks and Armenians, we must eliminate hatred and animosity." More...