“Turkish music companies have begun to move to secure the copyrights to the works of legendary Armenian artist Ruben Hakhverdian, whose songs have been popular across Europe,” Turkish Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review daily reports.

“Illustrating the cultural exchange that occurs despite continued political tension, the works of legendary Armenian musician Ruben Hakhverdian are now set for release in the Turkish market as local companies queue to secure copyrights for the music,” the source says.

Conveying his love to Turkish intellectuals working for reconciliation between Turks and Armenians, Hakhverdian says, ‘Stay away from nationalism; ignorance feeds nationalism. Borders are closed but the way for intercultural interaction is open,” Hakhverdian emphasized.

Furthermore, the constant Turkish and Armenian squabbling over the cultural ownership of anonymous songs was tiring, Hakhverdian noted.

“What is the point of discussing the ownership of anonymous songs? What is important is how they make us feel,” he said, pointing to a healthier attitude on the issue in the Balkans. “There is no fight for songs in the Balkans. This is why they have become richer in the cultural field.”