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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 20, 2006
As French President Visits Armenia, Armenians in France Set Out to
Celebrate AGBU Centennial
September 29, 2006 marked an important milestone in the history of
the Republic of Armenia and the friendship between the French and
Armenian people, as President Jacques Chirac of France became the
first Western head of state to visit Armenia since its independence
in 1991. This unprecedented gesture of outreach and goodwill on the
part of the French President is of particular significance to Armenia
because France is a member state of Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Minsk Group that has been mediating
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Accompanying the President were
several ministers and French members of congress, including the
former minister Patrick Devedjian. The delegation also included
French entrepreneurs of Armenian descent, including Serge Tchuruk,
Alain Mikli, Alain Manoukian, and Armen Petrossian, and delegations
from two Armenians organizations: AGBU France District, headed by
Chairman Denis Ketchedjian, and "Croie Bleue."
The highlights of the visit included a state dinner given at the
residence of the President of Armenia, Robert Kocharian, in honor of
President Chirac, a visit to the "Tsitsernakaberd" Genocide Memorial,
the inauguration of the "Place de France" square in central Yerevan,
and a visit to Etchmiadzin on the invitation of his His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.
In his speech, President Chirac paid a touching tribute to the French
Armenian community, 500,000 strong. He acknowledged the courage of
the Armenian Genocide survivors that found refuge in France and who
succeeded in rebuilding a new life on French soil, integrating into
society and making their mark with their achievements, while always
remaining loyal to their origins.
The President’s tribute holds a special significance for AGBU France,
which has for over 80 years preserved the Armenian identity in
France. AGBU France serves as a crucial link in the friendship between
the French and Armenian people, fostering cultural and political ties
through its tireless work. Founded in September of 1910, AGBU France
has since opened chapters in all regions of France. AGBU has given
the French Armenians many important institutions, such as the Alex
Manoogian Cultural Center, the Marie Nubar "Maison de l’Arménie,"
part of the international university student campus in Paris, the
"Tebrotzassere" school, and the Nubarian Library.
This year, AGBU France joins other chapters around the world to
celebrate AGBU’s Centennial. Ahead of the 84th General Assembly and
Centennial festivities scheduled in Paris in December, AGBU Valence
(established May 1931) celebrated the centenary as well as the 75th
anniversary of the Chapter with a Centennial Ball. The event gathered
several generations of AGBU members, city officials, and five former
AGBU Chapter Chairmen. The celebrations will continue throughout the
fall in other regional chapters.
AGBU France District is dedicated to preserving and promoting the
Armenian heritage and culture through humanitarian, educational,
and cultural programs in France and Armenia. For more information,
please contact AGBU France District by visiting its newly launched
website , e-mailing [email protected], or calling (33)
(1) 45-20-03-18.
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide chapters, please visit
and click on Global AGBU.
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