Turkish-Armenian lawmaker Garo Paylan from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has submitted a parliamentary question on why Armenian composer Aram Tigran was not allowed to be buried in the city following his death on August 8, 2009, Bianet reports.
Also known as "Ape Aram," Tigran was the son of a family who was expelled from Diyarbakır in 1915. His will was to be buried in his ancestors' hometown, which was not permitted at the time because he was not a citizen of Turkey.
A conservatory named after him was shut down after Diyarbakır Mayor Selçuk Mızraklı from the HDP was replaced with a government-appointed trustee in August 2019.
Paylan asked the following questions to Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy:
Will you make any attempt to keep the memory of Aram Tigran, whose art and personality was loved by the peoples of Turkey?
Why don't you allow Aram Tigran to be buried in Diyarbakır in accordance with his will?
Does your ministry have any projects to keep Aram Tigran's name alive?
