Speaking on ERT TV, Hélène Glykatzi-Ahrweiler was shocked by the decision of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Hagia Sophia.
“If I hear that the mosaics are in tears, I will not be surprised, nor will I ask why the bells are ringing mournfully,” she said, adding that “they are ringing for Christianity.”
The distinguished historian expressed the opinion that this development demonstrated the barbarity of our neighboring people. “Today the real Fall of Constantinople took place,” said Glykatzi-Ahrweiler, citing the testimony of a Turkish journalist who stressed that the annual commemorations of the Fall of Constantinople show that all this does not belong to the Turkish people and must be returned at some point.
“When a people needs such symbolism in order to maintain its cohesion and unity, it is far from the European standards,” concluded Glykatzi-Ahrweiler, referring to the reactions of Turkish citizens to the current developments.
