Correspondence Between Armenian and Turkish Film Festivals Leads to Happy Ending

As a result of a written correspondence between Armenia’s Golden Apricot International Film Festival (GAIFF) Director Susanna Harutyunyan and Turkey’s Malatya International Film Festival President Ali Calisir, the name of an award in the Malatya festival will be changed from “Golden Apricot” to “Crystal Apricot.”

Here is the letter from Calisir, also available on the GAIFF website. 

“As per our last correspondence on August 31st, you had submitted your views regarding the name of our festival’s international competition award and argued that it shouldn’t be ‘Golden Apricot.’ 

“The festival you organize in Armenia — a country which we have strong cultural and social ties with — is really important for us, as film laborers from Turkey.

“Hence, in consideration of these feelings and thoughts, we chose to communicate with you directly right after the arguments against our naming the award have been mentioned in the press. As you know we have already shared with you the sincerity of our intention about using the name ‘Golden Apricot’ just for the award, to prevent any misunderstanding it may lead.

“We would like to inform you that, after deliberations with our advisory committee, we changed the name of our international award to ‘Crystal Apricot.’

“Although our relationship started with this unpleasent name royalty issue, we want to state and emphasize once again that we wish to continue our relationship in a certain per-to-peer cooperation which would be appropriate for the mutual benefit of both festivals. We are all aware of the great power of cinema as an important uniting factor internationally.

“Furthermore, as a sincere gesture about our intention for future cooperation, we would be glad to welcome you or another representative of the GAIFF at Malatya during our festival which will be held from November 26th – December 2nd.”

In her response, Harutyunyan notes, “This witnesses the fact that we are able to discuss openly and directly the issues we are concerned in and to find most appropriate solutions.

“We truly wish the First edition of Malatya Film Festival a successful start.

“Golden Apricot is always open and much willing to cooperate and as always sees one of its goals in the development of professional contacts within the region and particularly with the colleagues from Turkey.”