'There was only one Hasankeyf and we have lost it'

Photos: AA

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The state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) has received criticism over a report titled, "Hasankeyf waits for its guests with its new face," referring to what has remained of the ancient city after it was submerged in the water because of Ilısu Dam, which has become operational in late 2019.

Mehmet Kızmaz, a journalist and a member of the Hasankeyf Coordination, which has been struggling for the valley, said, "There was only one Hasankeyf and we have lost it."

Here are two photos of Hasankeyf; one before Turkish government's project the other one is from shameful project of government.
Ahh my beautiful! they are the enemy of history, nature, and beautiful people. pic.twitter.com/Izo8XX38aB

— Zozan Yasar (@zozanyasar) July 7, 2020

He also compared AA's story to that of The New York Times, which was titled, "An ancient valley lost to 'progress'."

AA's report was about the transfer of some historical buildings after Hasankeyf was submerged.

"Their efforts to save Hasankeyf collapsed in the face of Mr. Erdogan's increasing authoritarianism," the story said.

"When we compare the two reports, we see how insensitive Turkey's media is," he said, adding that the world was more interested in what happens than the press in Turkey.

"I wonder if AA can see Hasankeyf in the photographs it shared? There is not even a small trace from the old Hasankeyf," said Kızmaz.

"It is something like you kill someone and then false reports are about it. After this, talking is also ineffective. We have lost Hasankeyf. No matter how we self-criticize, think, we have lost it. There was only one Hasankeyf and we have lost it.

"It is very unreasonable to continue a project that was evaluated in 1955 in 2020. When I saw the photographs, I felt I was being buried. This image is nothing but pain sank in the water. Not only history but also the memory has been destroyed." (AÖ/VK)