On October 20, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan participated in the opening ceremony of the National Center of Armenian Memory in Decines, France.

President of France Francois Hollande’s representative, Minister of Culture and Communication Oreli Philipetti also participated in the event.

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan delivered welcoming remarks at the event.

Among the guests were representatives of the Armenian communities of France and other countries, and the event included speeches and lectures by French and Armenian academics and cultural figures.

The ceremony continued with a performance by the National Orchestra of Lyon at the St. Mary Church in Decines.

The National Center of Armenian Memory was established with the support of not only the Bulluk Foundation, but also the local self-governing bodies of Lyon and Desin, including the Greater Lyon, Ron-Alp region, the General Council of Ron, as well as the municipalities of Desin and Mezio.

The Center will serve as a center for the preservation of 110,000 documents and 12,000 books. Materials related to Armenian history, as well as the works of Armenian cultural figures living and creating in France and other European countries will be preserved and transmitted to the future generations. The other important goal of the Center is to help French-Armenians preserve the national identity, conduct research on Genocide and the elimination of its consequences, as well as enhance French-Armenian inter-cultural relations and restore and enrich the Armenian heritage via the Center.

The President of the National Center of Armenian Memory is Gul Mardirosian, and the Director is Katia Budoian.