of the murder of Hrant Dink featured a Dink commentary on the Turkish government's handling of the Akdamar issue, which the late journalist characterized as "A real comedy... A real tragedy..." According to Dink, The government hasn't still been able to formulate a correct approach to the "Armenian question." Its real aim is not to solve the problem, but to gain points like a wrestler in a contest. How and when it will make the right move and defeat its opponent. That's the only concern. This is not earnestness. The state calls on Armenian historians to discuss history, but does not shy from trying its own intellectuals who have an unorthodox rhetoric on the Armenian genocide. It restores an Armenian church in the Southeast, but only thinks, "How can I use this for political gains in the world, how can I sell it?" Nationalist protests The opening was controversial among some Turkish nationalist groups, who protested at the island and in a separate demonstration in Ankara. Police detained five Turkish nationalists protesting against the restoration of the church at Lake Van, who carried a banner declaring "The Turkish people are noble. They would never commit genocide." Demonstrators outside the Ministry of the Interior in Ankara chanted slogans against the possibility of a cross being erected atop the church, declaring "You are all Armenians, we are all Turks and Muslims". Answering to criticism Historian Ara Sarafian responded to the criticism of the restoration project, stating that the project represented an answer to allegations of cultural genocide. He stated that the revitalization of the site was "an important peace offering" from the Turkish government. Notes Further reading Der Nersessian, Sirarpie. Aght'amar: Church of the Holy Cross. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1965. Jones, Lynn. Between Islam and Byzantium: Aght'amar and the Visual Construction of Medieval Armenian Rulership. Burlington, Vermont: Ashgate, 2007. Maranci, Christina. The Art of Armenia: An Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018. External links Information about Akdamar Island from Sacred Sites, Places of Peace and Power The Surp Hach (Saint Cross) church on Akhtamar Island A detailed study of the reliefs on the east facade of the Holy Cross church on Aghtamar island The 1973 pre-restoration photographic survey of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross at Aghtamar Observations and comments on the 2005-2006 restoration of the church Aghtamar: An Interactive Presentation of the Church of the Holy Cross About The