Legacy Of Hrant Dink Honored In Boston - Boston Globe

   

Legacy of Hrant Dink Honored in Boston   CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—On Feb. 1, 2009, an event dedicated to the 2nd anniversary of the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was held at Kresge Auditorium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The event, titled “The Legacy of Hrant Dink,” was organized by the new Cambridgebased non-profit Friends of Hrant Dink. State Representatives Jonathan Hecht (D-Mass.) and Peter Koutoujian (D-Mass.) were among the 700-plus members of the audience. Panelists included Mrs. Rakel Dink (Hrant Dink’s widow), Dr. Robert J. Lifton (Harvard Medical School), Prof. Peter Balakian (Colgate University), Dr. Oktay Ozel (visiting scholar, Harvard University), and Mr. Andrew Tarsy (Facing History and Ourselves). The panel discussion was moderated by Armenian Weekly editor Mr. Khatchig Mouradian. The speakers highlighted the legacy of Hrant Dink and the importance of continuing on his path and fulfilling his vision. They underscored the importance of the struggle for truth and justice, and the recognition of past crimes and injustices as the only way to move forward. A question and answer session followed the panel discussion. After that, Mr. Mouradian invited Mr. Harry Parsekian and Mr. Zadig Ozcan, the president and treasurer of Friends of Hrant Dink respectively, to present a gift to the Hrant Dink Foundation. Ms. Rakel Dink accepted the $10,000 gift on behalf of the Foundation. After the event, Mrs. Rakel Dink, Prof. Peter Balakian, and Prof. Taner Akcam—who was one of the organizers of the event—participated in a book signing session. Friends of Hrant Dink, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Cambridge, Mass. It’s mission is to educate and promote principles of universal human rights, to struggle against prejudice and discrimination, and to commemorate the life and work of Hrant Dink and to honor his contributions to peace and understanding. For more information and to make donations, please write to: friends of Hrant Dink, Inc., P.O.Box 382061, Cambridge, MA 02238-2061, or visit www.friendsofhrantdink.org or email: [email protected].