Yerevan/Mediamax/. One of the initiators of the much-talked-about campaign “Armenians, Forgive us” in Turkey Chengiz Aktar stated in Yerevan today that “the historical memory is gradually coming back to the Turkish people”.

Mediamax reports that he said this at “Building Awareness of Turkish Society Regarding the Armenian Genocide” international conference, which was launched in Yerevan today.

According to Aktar, “Armenians, Forgive us” campaign became a cornerstone and played an important role in reestablishment of the “public and historical memory of the Turkish people”.

According to the expert’s assessment, in Turkish villages and provinces, where Armenians used to live, this memory is stronger than in cities. He informed that April 24 – the Day of Armenian Genocide Memory – is planned to be marked in 6 Turkish cities in Armenia, including Ankara.

Another initiator of “Armenians, Forgive us” campaign, writer Ali Bayramoglu stated today that their goal is to spread historical truth among the Turkish society. Commenting on the campaign, Bayramoglu stated that it gave a positive result and managed to break the stereotypes, formed in the Turkish society.

Noting that they carried out work together with Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who was killed a few years ago, the expert stated that their goal is “the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey” and “reestablishment of Armenian-Turkish friendship”.

Answering the question of Mediamax why the organizers avoided use of “genocide” term in their statement, Ali Bayramoglu stated:

“We had to use such words that each person willing could sign under the statement”.

Mediamax recalls that “Armenians, Forgive us” campaign was initiated by a number of representatives of the Turkish intelligentsia in December, 2008. At the special website a letter was published with the following content: “My conscience cannot reconcile with the fact that the Great catastrophe, which Armenians underwent in Ottoman Empire in 1915, faces indifference and denial. I cannot reconcile with such injustice. I sympathize with the feelings and the grief of my Armenian brothers and sisters, and I apologize to them”. Over 30 thousand people joined the campaign.