YEREVAN, 24 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. To preserve and restore the centuries-old heritage that the Armenians left in Dersim, theFederation of Non-Governmental Organizations of Dersimhas undertaken a new initiative. This is what President of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations of Dersim Ahmet Balkes, who is in Armenia as part of the delegation of Dersim, said during a press conference, as “Armenpress” reports.

“During meetings and discussions with the Union of Friendship of the Armenians and Alevis of Dersim, we ascertained that there used to be 162 churches in the territory of Dersim where the Armenians have existed and continue to exist. We decided to renovate at least one of those churches, and for that purpose we formed a group of architects that is currently working with the Union,” Balkes mentioned, stating that by protecting Armenian cultural heritage, they are, to a certain extent, making a contribution to the friendship between the two collectivities. Addressing the Armenians, he said: “We live next to the cultural values, churches and monasteries that your ancestors left in Dersim, and I promise that when we return, we will protect the heritage of your ancestors even more.”

President of the Union of Friendship of the Armenians of Alevis of Dersim Serkan Seriatash mentioned that the Metskert (Mazgird) Armenian church will be restored through combined efforts. “The church will be renovated via the local municipality, but we’ll also support the efforts,” Seriatash mentioned and informed that they have collaborated with the Union of Armenian Architects of Turkey (“Haitchar) to have certain specifications regarding Armenian monuments and memorials.