Acclaimed Turkish writer Yasar Kemal has received the Grigor Narekatsi Medal, which is awarded by the Armenian Culture Ministry, Turkey's media outlets report.
Kemal was awarded the medal for his successes and contributions to literature, in addition to his works which have helped preserve Armenian cultural heritage.
Armenian Culture Ministry representative Seyranuhi Geghamyan, MP Aragats Akhoyan, and representatives of the National Congress of the Western Armenian
Vahan Melikyan and Sevak Artsruni arrived in Istanbul to present the writer with the award.
"We are here to show our appreciation to Kemal on his contribution to protecting important Armenian architecture such as Akhtamar Church [in Lake Van]," said Culture Ministry representative Seyranuhi Geghamyan during a visit to Kemal's home to present him with the award.
"On these lands people have gone through pain. The most sacred effort is to fight against hostility," Kemal said, adding that Grigor Narekatsi was a poet that he esteemed greatly and that he was honored to receive the medal.
The Armenian representatives also gave Kemal an Armenian translation of one of his most famous works, "Memed, My Hawk," which was first published in 1975. -