Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival that is being held in California, United States attracts the attention of Armenians in the state.
Stating that they always follow the broadcasts of Turkish televisions and they learnt about the festival through those, Papazyan said, "It is impressing that church and mosque are side by side here. I grow up in Turkey and I always visit there. Whenever someone asks where we want to visit, the answer is always Turkey. Because Turkey is my country."
Stating that they speak Turkish language at home and everywhere they go, Papazyan said, "When you find 15 Armenians together you see that they all speak Turkish language. Our tongue is familiar with it and because of that they call us as "the people of Istanbul". My grandchildren are learning Turkish too. This festival is just like Turkey. I saw everyone speaking Turkish language. I am Turkish too. I am Armenian but i am Turkish citizen."
Giving a concert within the frames of the festival, Armenian artist Udi Yervant said, "Festival is great. I cannot fit this into words, it should be lived. All Turkey is here. Mardin, Akdamar, Van and Topkapi palace, everything. The most delicious foods are here. The word festival actually means culture and solidarity. It is very important to use the language of music. I am very proud of being here as an Armenian from Diyarbakir."
Stating that he sang songs in Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish and English, Yervant said, "There are so many Armenian visitors in the festival. If there were a dispute between the peoples, Armenians would not come here. We lived together in these lands for centuries and we built these buildings together. We cried and loved together. We are not different."
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