An exhibition dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide opened in Paris, which is a partnering capital city of the capital of Yerevan of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute reports.

The exhibition of was hosted in the historic Hôtel de Ville building of the municipality in the heart of Paris.

The solemn opening ceremony of the “ARMENIA 1915: Paris is hosting the collection of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute of Yerevan” was held on April 28. The event began with welcome speeches by Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandyan and Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan, who gave Hidalgo the original of the painting that she had chosen as the poster for the exhibition, that is, the poster released by the Near East Relief Foundation.

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Paris Municipality, former mayor Bertran Delanoe and incumbent mayor Anne Hidalgo. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Armenian Embassy in France, AGMI benefactor and my friend Zevan Cheloyants, ACB A Credit-Agricole Bank and those who helped organize the exhibition.

Mrs. Hidalgo, on the occasion of the opening of this exhibition, allow me to give to you the original of the poster for the exhibition as a sign of gratitude,” Hayk Demoyan declared.

Among the 2,000 guests attending the event were representatives of various religious communities, Charles Aznavour, dozens of ambassadors accredited in Paris, Members of the Parliament of France and delegates of local councils, the deputy mayor of Yerevan and leaders of French-Armenian organizations.

Armenia’s foreign minister and the mayor of Paris, with the accompaniment of Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan and the exhibition’s commissioner Raymond Kévorkian, toured the halls of Paris Municipality and were introduced to the samples of the exhibition.

Paris was flooded with advertisements about the exhibition right after the official opening ceremony.

At the vestibule there is a registry in which visitors can share their impressions on paper.

“This is a historic event. This exhibition will be unique in terms of size and representation. It will be linked to the history and remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, the First World War and, of course, Armenian-French remembrance.

Yes, this is truly a special event for the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. Realizing the importance of being represented in Paris with such an exhibition, we decided to showcase the exclusive samples of the Museum’s collection in the capital of France, and I’m certain that the samples will spark great interest. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Paris Municipality for providing the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute with such an opportunity, as well as to the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in France for helping organize the exhibition,” Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Doctor of Historical Sciences Hayk Demoyan mentioned.

The exhibition called “ARMENIA 1915: Paris hosts the collection of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute of Yerevan” will be open until July 4. Two halls of the municipality showcase the Museum’s samples and photos portraying shocking episodes of the genocide that was perpetrated against the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in the early 20^th century.

This collection of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute includes nearly 150 samples, each of which provides exclusive information about this or that episode of the human tragedy. These samples, most of which are being showcased outside of Armenia for the first time ever, include personal items of the victims and survivors, documents, diaries, photos, newspapers, the donations made by foreign relief organizations and other original materials.

One of the unique samples presented by the AGMI is Armenian Genocide survivor Aurora Mardiganian’s collection, the original samples of which are being showcased at the exhibition in Paris for the first time. The collection includes the posters for the mute film “Auction of Souls” starring Aurora Mardiganian in California, her photos, personal items, the releases devoted to her and other unique samples. The film was also shown at Sal Gavo Hall of Paris in 1919. The showing of the film was part of the major event that was organized by pro-Armenian Duchess de Rohan and baroness Coshen in 1919. The film was shown for charity purposes, and all proceeds went to care for orphans.

In October 2014, a representative of the office of the Mayor of Paris, Mr. Jean-Yves Camus visited Armenia. Camus visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and was introduced to the samples of the exhibition to be held by Paris Municipality and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in April of 2015.

Jean-Yves Camus mentioned that “former mayor of Paris Bertran Delanoe and his successor, Anne Hidalgo had decided that Paris Municipality would host an exhibition devoted to the history and remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The exhibition would open in April 2015 and would showcase samples and documents to be provided by the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. The municipality is in close collaboration with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.”

This exhibition also includes the collection of documents of the Nubarian Library of Paris that are related to the origins of the Armenian Genocide and the migrants who were saved during the Armenian Genocide.

The exhibition in Paris is organized by Yerevan Municipality, the RA Embassy in France and the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF).

There is also a book fair showcasing the books published by the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.

On 1 October 2014, Paris City Council unanimously approved the address of Paris Municipality on holding events for remembrance, information and against denial in commemoration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide in Paris in 2015.