Attached is my abridged translation of Margarita Krtikashyan's article in Keghart.com (see the link in the footnotes). Vahe H Apelian
The signature of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, is a symbol of the Republic of Turkey. It not only expresses the country’s recent history, but is also deeply linked to the invaluable contribution of Armenian culture and science. A key role in this story was played by the prominent manuscript specialist Hagop Vahram Cherchian. Through whom the world came to know Ataturk’s signature.
Cherchian lived during two great historical periods: the last days of the Ottoman Empire and the formation of the Republic of Turkey. He became the man who was able to unite two cultural and political worlds, creating an aesthetically impressive symbolic signature.
In 1934, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey passed a law on surnames, according to which Mustafa Kemal was given the surname "Atatürk" ("Father of the Turks"), proposed by the Armenian linguist and Turkish language reformer Hagop Martayan-Dilachar (Language Opener). This was not just a change of name for Kemal; it symbolized a new historical period when Turkey was forming its new identity with reforms, cultural changes, and new symbols. However, this transition created another challenge. It became necessary to create a signature that would express the power and the symbolic significance of the new statehood, while remaining faithful to the values of the time.
This decision became a historical turning point when Atatürk's secretary, through the Istanbul Chief of Police, approached the great manuscript scholar Hagop Vahram Cherchian for the task. Hagop Vahram Cherchian had specialized in the Palmer Method of penmanship in the United States in the 1920s, becoming one of the leading handwriting experts of his time.
Cherchian began the work, which entailed substantial responsibility, not only in aesthetic but also in symbolism. The signatures he created had to be not only beautiful, but also strong, reflecting the vision of the new country. Cherchian created 5 different signatures, each of which expressed different ideas and meanings. Ataturk chose the 5th from the submitted signatures, a simple but strong signature that became a symbol of Ataturk’s personality and of the Republic of Turkey.
Cherchian’s work became a unique reminder of how the Armenian people continued to contribute with their knowledge to the art and science of the state that was responsible for their genocide. It is a testament to the indomitable spirit and creative potential of the Armenians, proving they are capable of creating values even during their historically and politically hard conditions.
The Armenians, who were forced to leave their homeland, Western Armenia, at the same time left their mark on the cultural and scientific life of Turkey. The signature of Ataturk, created by Hagop Vahram Cherchian, as an Armenian specialist, not only reflects on important events of the past, but also raises questions about Turkish-Armenian relations.
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| Margarita Krtikashyan is a post graduate student in Turkology at the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Yerevan State University. Her research interests include cuttural policy, the role of music in diplomacy and politics, Turkish-Armenian relations, the challenges of Armenians living in Turkey, and the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. She is also interested in in religion, culture, and music. E-mail: margaritakrikashyan@gmail.com |
This story, on the one hand, seems burdened with past historical memories. But on the other hand, it also reveals the ever-revolving relations that remain just as important today, in the contemporary challenges pertaining to Artsakh and Armenia. Armenians once again resisted Turkish-Azerbaijani oppression in their historical homeland. Today we face the same struggle for restoring our identity, our rights and statehood.
The signature created by Cherchian is not only a historical symbol, but also a reminder of the intermittent, but always continuing contribution of the Armenian people to the cultural, scientific and political life of Turkey. Today, as in the past, Armenians in Turkey continue to exert their influence, often overcoming policies and actions of that country that threaten the Armenian people.
The episode of the creation of Ataturk’s signature reminds us that at times everyday figures make large or small contributions to national and international history. One of such ordinary figure is Hagop Vahram Cherchian. He left his mark not only as a great specialist, but also for having Armenian contribution cross Turkish history at such a milestone.
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Original post link: Աթաթուրքի ստորագրության հեղինակը՝
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