"Cultural Dialogues" in St. Petersburg

I was in Saint-Petersburg, Russia to participate International Media-Forum of Young Journalist that was held on the dates between November 17-21. 

Theme of the conference, which hosted journalists, photographers, and documentarist from over 40 countries was "Dialogue of Cultures". 

The address was Hermitage Museum.

Hermitage

Forums and photo exhibition moderated by Forum President Ashot Dzhazoyan took place at Hermitage Museum.

It is stated that as many as 3 million art pieces have been hosted in the museum which was founded by Czarina Katerina II in 1764. 

It is also included in Guinness Worlds Records for providing largest painting collection and having the largest number of drawing collection.

Journalism, culture, pressures

Many participants and various institute representatives held the floor in the forums that started with opening speech and held in three chapters.

Museum General Director Mikhail Piotrovsky mentioning Islamice State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attacks in his video screened in the Forum said they intend to harm human lives as well as their memories and cultural memories. 

Museums are important in preserving memories and carrying them to the future, added Piotrovsky.

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) Freedom of Press representative, Dunja Mijatovic noted that journalists will not be able to do their jobs properly without knowing the culture. 

Terror issue was on her agenda as well. She emphasized that human rights and freedom of the press shouldn't be harmed during the efforts to increase seurity against terror attacks.

Suggestions of Mijatovic who express journalists are under threat, and condition in Russia is not healthy either were "Struggle for your occupation", "What matters most is you to be safe", and "Journalism is important, don't give it up".

Press in Turkey?

During the presentations, Turkey was mentioned along with ISIS at one or two points.

It became my lot to explain condition of the press in Turkey. I tried to explain condition of media in Turkey based on BIA Media Monitoring Report. 

Perhaps this situation is not limited to Turkey and learning to shout "I am with press" in every language to do our job could have been an alternative, however what was certain that collaboration between young journalists, especially young women journalists is necessary. 

"Erdoğan?"

The most common question I was subjected to was, "What do you think about [President Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan?"

The question "Is Erdoğan's duty prime ministry or presidency" followed it. Everyone whom I talked to was of opinion that governmental works in Turkey are being admnistred by Erdoğan.

"Erdoğan" name didn't have a very possitive connotation for youngsters from many different places all over the world.

Questions "without borders"

* Dzhazoyan in the opening speech of the exhibition emphasized works of women photographers.

In fact, similar questions were everywhere, and especially if you are a woman, it doesn't matter in which country you live. I joined the exhibition with the photos of street protests, and memorials to exhibit condition of correspondents in Turkey.

Right next to my photos, there were works of a woman photographer from Egypt, Eman Halil. Just by looking at the photos made me feel disturbed and uncomfortable.

Michèle Pauty from Vienne was making women heard against both harassment and normative perception of beauty by her photos of naked women at city squares.

As dialogues proceeded, it became more clear that no one was actually optimistic about general situation of the world.

Familiarity from cross borders

On the other hand, there are reasons too to be optimistic. 

After asking question to learn about my ideas as they learned I am from Turkey, maybe because my responses reaasured them, I met some people whom say to be Armenians from different countries.

I talked to my coevals whose families had to abandon their homes upon the Genocide about Camp Armen victory, resistance, solidarity, and Armenian youngsters have started to become heard.

We have felt good together, feeling of loneliness has moved off.

To be heard

As I've returned to the country which I'd left for the first time, curfews have been ongoing, welcoming a body of a youngster may become a reason to become happy, deaths continue to become news as "One more person".

Making yourself heard is becoming important than ever. First, you want the close ones to hear you but then your words are being heard from far lands while the near by ones play deaf.

There were Hrant Dink, Saturday Mothers, those who subjected to police violence, journalists, women shouting for peace in the photos that came with me to Petersburg.

And now, after this trip, there are more to hear us. (BK/TK)

Click here to read the article in Turkish