Hrant Dink Award Presented Today to Those who Take Risks for their Ideals

Turkish-Armenian journalist and former editor of bilingual weekly Agos published in Istanbul Hrant Dink would’ve turned 56 today.

In 2009, when Dink’s 55th birthday was being marked, the Hrant Dink Foundation came up with a new initiative.

Each year on Sept. 15, the Foundation presents the International Hrant Dink Award. Every year, the award is presented to two people, one from Turkey and one from another country, who work for a world free of discrimination, racism and violence, take personal risks for their ideals, use the language of peace and, by doing so, inspire and encourage others, says Rober Koptaş, the new Agos editor.

According to the Hrant Dink Foundation, “with the award, the Foundation aims to remind all those who struggle for these ideals that their voices are heard, their works are visible and that they are not alone, and also to encourage everyone to fight for their ideals.”

The 2010 jury consists of Adalet Agaoglu (author), Judith Butler (author, academician), Hasan Cemal (journalist), Daniel Cohn-Bendit (Member of the European Parliament), Rakel Dink (The President of the Board of Directors of the Hrant Dink Foundation), Alper Gormus (journalist and the Award Winner of the International Hrant Dink Award 2009), Amira Hass (journalist, the Award Winner of the International Hrant Dink Award 2009), Irene Khan (former Secretary General of Amnesty International) and Boris Navasardyan (Yerevan Press Club President).

The International Hrant Dink Award will be presented during a ceremony on September 15, between 8 and 10 pm at Istanbul Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall. Turkish-English simultaneous translation will be available.

Last year, the International Hrant Dink Award was presented for the first time to journalist Amira Hass from Israel and to journalist Alper Gormus from Turkey.