500 OFFICIAL AND ABOUT 100 UNOFFICIAL EVENTS TO BE ORGANIZED ON OCCASION OF YEAR OF ARMENIA IN FRANCE
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 26 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The starting point of Year of
Armenia in France will be the September 29 official visit of French
President Jacques Chirac to Armenia and opening of the Square of
France in Yerevan, in the place of crossing of Mashtots Avenue-Sayat
Nova-Baghramian streets. The next day, on September 30, a gala concert
will be held in Republic Square with participation of Charles Aznavour
and his friends with presence of the two countries’ Presidents. On this
occasion French variety stars, including Michel Legran, will arrive
in Armenia with legendary singer Charles Aznavour. Unprecedented
fireworks with the colors of the French flag will take place at the
end of the concert.
As Edvard Nalbandian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Armenia to France, informed journalists at the September 26 press
conference, in a symbolic way Year of Armenia in France started
on September 21, the day of the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. It will be concluded in the same symbolic way in France
on the country’s national holiday, on 2007 July 14. In 2007 a large
gala concert will be also held in France with performances of Moris
Ravel’s and Aram Khachatrian’s two great works, "Bolero" and "Dance
with Swords."
In E.Nalbandian’s words, besides cultural events, many economic
conferences and forums will be held in France on the occasion of Year
of Armenia. A conference dedicated to cooperation between Armenia
and France in the issue of government decentralization will be
held in October with participation of Chairmen of French Senate and
Armenian National Assembly and delegation led by RA Prime Minister:
23 Armenian and French regions cooperate currently in the format of
"sister cities" or "sister regions."
Conferences dedicated to trade-industrial, agricultural and high
technologies spheres will be held in December, February and March,
respectively.
In the words of Vigen Sargsian, Assistant to RA President, who was
present at the press conference, 500 official and about 100 unofficial
events will be held in France on the occasion of Year of Armenia. The
catalogue of events has been already published in France. Besides
state governmental commissions, Armenian communities of France will
also organize some events.
The President’s Assistant said that many exhibitions with display
of Armenian medieval cultural values, painting, photography will be
organized in 125 French cities. An exhibition under the title "Surb
Hayastan" (St Armenia) to be opened in the halls of Louvres museum is
the most characteristic of them. In addition to Etchmiadzin treasures,
Matenadaran collections, 40 Armenian khachkars (cross-stones)
will be also displayed at the exhibition. As V.Sargsian commented,
these are the khachkars that have been already displaced from their
proper environment.
During the year the Armenian Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras
will perform on tours in different cities of France. Besides,
retrospective reviews of Armenian films, jazz and variety concerts
will be organized. The 3rd biggest collection of Armenian manuscripts
in the world kept at the French National Library will be organized
at the Library.