By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Under the slogan “Armenie, mon amie” the friendship between France and Armenia will be sealed in gala celebrations and ceremonies this weekend when “The Year of Armenia in France” is launched.
Yerevan gets ready . . .
France’s President Jacques Chirac – making his first visit to the South Caucasus — will lead a delegation of celebrities and officials. Beloved singer Charles Aznanour and his friends from the music world will offer an open air concert.
The independence days of Armenia and France – September 21st 2006 and July 14th 2007 respectively – have been chosen to symbolize opening and the closure of the year of Armenia in France.
Dedicated to the event, the square connecting Mashtots, Baghramyan and Sayat Nova avenues will be named in honor of France.
The delegation of guests include at least four ministers and the Mayor of Paris, and the directors of the Louvre and Musee d’Orsey.
The French will reciprocate on October 18, when a concert will be held in Paris, honoring the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. Armenia’s Ambassador to France (home to 450, 000 Armenian Diaspora), Edward Nalbandyan, says some 500 events are planned for 125 cities and town in France over the coming months.
“Armenian culture will be introduced even in places where there is not a single Armenian, let alone an Armenian community, but where there is interest towards Armenians and Armenia,” says Nalbandyan.
An exhibition titled “Holy Armenia” will open in the Louvre to present unique items from Echmiadzin, the Matenadaran and the Museum of History of Armenia. For the first time ever, 40 khachkars (cross stones) will be taken to France to be exposed for viewing in Paris.
The year will include exhibitions of renowned Armenian artists, photographers, old and new Armenian films; jazz, pop and classic music will also be performed throughout the year.
Soon to be “French Square”
Vigen Sargsyan, the Assistant/Aide to the President of Armenia and the Commissioner for the Organization of the Year of Armenia in France, says a planned visit of Armenian children to France is an important and interesting event.
“Throughout the year 1,000 children from Armenia will visit France and will live in local families to get acquainted with the culture and the lifestyle of France. This is the way of setting grounds for enriching human communication that warrants the development of friendship of the two nations,” says Sargsyan.
The Senate of France and its National Assembly have allotted 100,000 Euros to cover the planned travel expenses of the children. Revenues from an Aznavour concert in Paris will also be used for the fulfillment of the program.
The year of Armenia in France will end up next September with a concert devoted to Aram Khachaturyan and Maurice Ravel.
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