Octogenarian bride of Diyarbakır’s tiny Armenian community passes away two months after marrying

DİYARBAKIR

Beyzar and her partner Sarkis during the wedding held on April 27. DHa PHoto

Beyzar Alata, who had been revered as “Diyarbakır’s last Armenian” and who finally married her life partner Sarkis only two months ago at the age of 87, passed away June 23.

The marriage, which took place at the end of April in Diyarbakır’s newly restored Surp Giragos Church - with the attendance of Diyarbakır Mayor Gültan Kışanak and other prominent guests including renowned local oud master musician Yervant Bostancı - had drawn attention to the discrimination that Armenians faced over the years.

“I did not want to die unmarried,” said Beyzar after the marriage.

At the ceremony, Kışanak stressed the significance of the wedding ceremony and praised the couple’s “struggle” against the odds.

Beyzar’s funeral will also be held in Diyarbakır.