Turks demand enormous price for Armenian poet's house in Kars

Renowned Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents' house in Kars is offered for sale at an enormous price, Turkish daily Hurriyet reports.

"Charents is one of the most distinguished personalities in Armenia's history. He had such an outstanding role in the nation's literature that the Armenians have portrayed him in their 1000 dram banknote," Irem Kyoker, author of the article writes.

The idea of selling Charents' house came up during the recent years.

"A couple of years ago Armenian Deputy Minister of Culture was taking part in the re-opening of Akhtamar's Surb Khach church-museum. Thereafter, he left for Kars to visit Charents' native house. Later, an Armenian from Istanbul wanted to buy the house and re-open it as a museum. But the owner of the desolate place offered an enormous price - 250,000 Turkish liras (about $180,000 USD). Negotiations over the house price have now stopped," the Turkish journalist writes, characterizing the place as one of the values not appreciated by the Turks.

Touching on the current rapprochement process between Armenia and Turkey, Kyork stresses the importance of a mutual understanding between the two peoples.

"There is a huge abyss between the Armenian and Turkish nations. If the Turks' recent steps in Akhtamar find their continuation in Kars, Aghyr etc… and if Armenia forgets about its stereotypes, making a gesture with regard to the Azeri-occupied lands… the existing bridge will probably narrow, and the Protocols will be signed by not only Ministers, but also by the people themselves," the author writes in conclusion.