On March 19, spiritual leader of the Catholic Armenians of Turkey, Archbishop Levon Zekiyan awarded world famous Istanbul-Armenian photographer Ara Güler with the Meguerditch Beshiktashlian Order during a solemn ceremony held at the Holy Savior Armenian Catholic Church, reported Istanbul’s Zhamanak Armenian Daily.

Among the attendees were diplomats, representatives of local self-government bodies, public figures, intellectuals, clergymen, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization Arsen Avagyan, representative of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, Friar Maghakia Beskiziyan and others.

During the event, actor Boghos Chalkjoglu presented the life of Ara Güler. Photographer Joskun Aral and historian Ilber Ortay talked about the artist’s life and career.

The event also featured musical performances.

At the end, the attendees watched a documentary film devoted to Güler’s life.