Every year passing, they are more in number. When Turks began commemorating April 24, 1915 — the day symbolizing the mass deportations and annihilation of Ottoman Armenians — four years ago in Istanbul, those who attended the gathering were around 700. Yesterday, in six cities, more than 3,000 were present.

This time the organizers — "Dur De," the anti hate-speech campaign and various human rights groups — were joined by a large foreign delegation comprising 20 anti-racist and Armenian representatives from 15 countries, including the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Young Professionals from Bulgaria, the "Roma Center" in Romania, and the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement (EGAM).

There were some clashes in İzmir and small disturbances in Istanbul, but the police were determined that the events take place safely, protecting the mourners.

The April 24 gatherings this year overlapped with the large mobilization nationwide to end the 30-year Kurdish conflict, adding an extra dimension. In many ways, Turkey’s glasnost since 2002 unleashed dynamics that seem irreversible.