At the initiative of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Armenia to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization and with the support of the Armenian community of Istanbul, Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia was celebrated in Istanbul for the first time ever.

The festive event featured performances by Cadence Ensemble of Armenia and the Maral Armenian Song and Dance Ensemble of Istanbul. Among the attendees were clergymen of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, community figures, as well as Turkish-Armenian Deputies of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Selina Dogan and Garo Pailan.

Cadence Ensemble had scheduled to give a concert dedicated to Armenia’s Independence in Istanbul last year on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence, but the organizational activities were postponed for so long that the concert was held only after the 26^th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence.

“The concert in Istanbul was a special event since the anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia was celebrated in Istanbul for the first time in history,” the event’s organizer, Editor-in-Chief of Istanbul’s Zhamanak Armenian Daily Ara Gocunyan stated in an interview with Radiolur.

“It was a very cordial event. Everyone was very satisfied. There was ��?Armenianness’ in the air, and even the alcoholic drinks were Armenian,” Gocunyan said.

“It was an event that made us feel very responsible, and it was a surprise for everyone, including the Armenians,” manager of Cadence Ensemble Nika Babayan noted in an interview with Radiolur.

Turkish presses didn’t cover this event, but Ara Gocunyan says they might cover it soon. At the same time, he noted that there was no such expectation. The target of the event was not the response of the Turkish media, but the diplomatic relations and relations within the community.