Presentation of Taner Akçam’s “A Shameful Act” book (photos, video in Armenian,)

This extensive and thorough study is particularly for those people who deny the Genocide. Akçam reveals the most essential questions: how did Turkey avoid responsibility and who left the guilty unpunished? The translation of the book was initiated by diplomat Lilit Tutkhalyan. “Each new book brings up new facts to the world about the Armenian Genocide, shows us new arguments to silence the voices that try to humiliate, to forget the fact of the Armenian Genocide.”

The whole state system of Turkey, which is consistently distorting and editing history for the world and its own population, is working against this book. Trying to deny and hide the historical facts. The editor of the Armenian translation Armen Amirkhanyan claims that he has discovered many hidden and little-known facts about the topic.“I really think that all Armenians should read this book, it seems that it is a scientific work and will be boring, but it’s not. Feature and emotional films can take us elsewhere, but this work provides us fundamental and vital information.”

 

Taner Akcam presents the Armenian, Turkish and Western perceptions of the book, but the work is especially notable for the abundance of Ottoman sources. The guide of the historical accuracy of the translation is the Turkologist Anush Hovhannisyan. “While writing this book, Taner Akcam, having the main goal of fighting against the deniers of the genocide, tried to use mainly Ottoman and Turkish documents. In the past, historians mainly used European academic sources.”

Attacks, threats and media terror by nationalists, Taner Akcam is a constant target of Turkish aggression for presenting the truth about the history of Turkey. The book has been translated into different languages, but for Akcam, the opinion of the Armenian reader has a special meaning.“I am extraordinarily happy that Armenians can read my book in Armenian and criticize the work I do. I wonder what the reactions will be.” 

  

The main partner of the Armenian translation is the Armenian General Benevolent Union. The deputy director of the AGBU Armenia Hovik Eordekyan claims that the main goal of the book translation was to present this work of high scientific value to the Armenian reader. “Usually we focus on translating Armenian books into foreign languages, but I think the opposite is equally important; I am really happy for this cooperation.”

“The Shameful Act” book is particularly relevant today. This is a sobering reminder that 100 years ago and today the enemy is the same, his genocidal policy is the same.