What is Allianoi?
| To Allianoi |
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| Written by Administrator | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cumartesi, 12 Nisan 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||
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There are no translations available TO ALLIANOI I came to you ten years ago, in an official car. That day, I had found a place called Pasha Thermal Baths, that had been damaged by heavy rains, abandoned and unsure of its future. Dozens of hungry dogs had greeted me. I made friends with Cerenimo. Tobacco fields stretched on every side. Your traces were lost in the fog, as if you wanted to keep your secrets. But then… Patience, pain, thousands of questions and the work of young people… Those who uncovered sunlight with their persistent, determined work. They uncovered you stone by stone, with their nails. Everyone watched the labour pains that led to your birth. We greeted a new millennium, and the name Allianoi was once again on your streets that were forgotten for 1800 years. Your melancholy and your solitude had ended. People who respected their own knowledge decided to protect you for future generations. We felt you smile. We worked harder. That year, we found a sponsor to better help us understand and describe you. NGOs, unions, municipalities, professional chambers, children and writers were your natural supporters. Lawyers, doctors, homemakers, engineers began to stroll in your streets. In order to make you live better, they supported the children of science who had uncovered you. Young girls and youths grew up with you, in love and learning… Some got married and had children. One of those children – the youngest – Ilya* joined us. You named her. She grew up with you, she considered you home. She cried out to visitors: “Don’t let them flood our home!” Thanks to you, we built friendships, and we nurtured them with you. With each discovery, more people shared our excitement because everyone was learning and understanding. 7 years passed. Ilya began to read and write. Some people decided to wipe your name out of maps, and out of road signs. They refused to acknowledge your name… They were jealous of our insights and our friendships that were born of your wealth.
Only for ten years could we keep you alive in the light of day. Countless people came to see you. Countless people supported our struggle to make you live on… But we were unable to effectively defend the treasures we had uncovered. We wrote about you, we organized displays, exhibitions, conferences, concerts, films, children’s dances… But we failed to defend you. We could not convince them to be far-sighted. We suggested alternatives – “expensive!” they proclaimed. They calculated costs and disregarded value. We found sources; they rejected them. They favoured tomatoes over a civilization of 1800 years. Because we wanted to preserve you for our children, they declared us “traitors!” We planted trees for you, we collected water in a pool, “It’s a farm!” they said. They poisoned the dogs who were guarding you. They formed committees one after the other, they called them “scientific” And asked them to sign your death sentence. They disregarded the scientific reports that declared you “cultural heritage.” They hid the new reports prepared about you. They set up new committees, new commissions. They held secret meetings. In the end, the committee that had ordered your protection on behalf of the world, issued your death sentence.
Some never attempted to understand. Some displayed ignorance, saying “ we were unable to protect it, may it be better protected under water.” Big brothers entered the picture. To protect you, We fought. We launched court cases. We wrote official letters. Our allies wrote, called out! But those who held power were deaf and blind.
What else could we have done? They investigated us for our “shady activities.” We received insults. Threats.
I now see that your home, your entire geography is occupied land. We, your friends have struggled to save you. But we could not keep you alive so you might grow with Ilya. We are not going to see the children of Bergama and the children of some Chinese town running together in your streets. We apologize to you.
Only ten years. When it should have been thousands of years… Now we bid you farewell forever. I came to you alone ten years ago.
Today, with thousands of Ilyas, I say “hello.” Hello means hope, despite all. Hello Allianoi. I’m surrounded by caring friends I am not alone. We have to be strong. Because Hasankeyf is next. Munzur is next. Coruh is next. Many children will yet be born. They will not be defeated. I know. We know.
Ahmet Yaras Edirne, 13. 02. 2008 * the archaeologist’s daughter, born during the excavations of Allianoi and named after the stream that runs near the site.
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| Last Updated ( Cumartesi, 12 Nisan 2008 ) | ||||||||||||||||||
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