On Monday, November 18, some 150 people joined a few members of the Yerevan-based Civilitas Foundation staff to mark the beginning of an enhanced Civilitas presence in Istanbul.
This enhanced presence will allow CivilNet.am, the Internet television arm of the Civilitas Foundation, to provide deeper and more regular coverage of developments in Istanbul, involving the Armenian community, the arts community, the NGO community, as well as official and international circles. Highlighting the heritage of the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey will also be at the core of Civilitas activities. The work of the Civilitas Istanbul Center will be carried out by a rotating group of Civilitas Yerevan staffers. They will participate in NGO events in Istanbul and also prepare project and program ideas for future implementation not just by Civilitas, but by others seeking effective, impactful cooperation. Civilitas will be working out of offices made available to it on Istiklal Street, in the Hidivyal Palace, which is one of many old structures belonging to Armenian foundations. Armenian TV channel "Civilnet" has started scheduled broadcasting from Istanbul.