During their visit to the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia, our compatriots-President of the Union of Former Armenian Fighters and the Resistance Movement in France Antoin Baghdikian and young French-Armenian businessman Remi Makenejian-also visited the editorial office of Hayern Aysor newspaper where they engaged in an interesting and substantial interview that Hayern Aysor presents to its readers.

Karine Avagyan: Welcome to the Homeland, gentlemen! Welcome to the Ministry of Diaspora! Mr. Baghdikian, let’s start with you. What is the purpose of your visit to Armenia?

Antoin Baghdikian: I was told that I was going to be awarded with the Medal of Gratitude in Armenia for the pro-national activities that I have been carrying out for 40 years, and this was a surprise. I always want to come to Armenia, but this was the main purpose of my visit this time. I feel very proud, and I am very thankful for receiving such an honorary award in the Homeland and for the fact that the very beloved Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia appreciates our efforts. This medal is not only mine, but also all the volunteers who work with me.

Karine Avagyan: What major issues did you discuss during your visit to the Ministry of Diaspora? What future paths for further strengthening of cooperation do you envision?

Antoin Baghdikian: I have had friendly ties with the Minister of Diaspora for a long time now. The Minister and I have undertaken and implemented many initiatives. Years ago, the Minister came to France where she gladly participated in the solemn ceremony of unveiling and consecration of the cross-stone dedicated to the memory of the last Armenian king (King Levon V), the Armenian fighters who sacrificed their lives for the liberty of France and the victims of the Armenian Genocide held in the city of Lusignan of the Puatie state on 13 December. Now we are awaiting the establishment of sister relations between Lusignan and one of the cities of Armenia. We always need to have close ties with Armenia and the Ministry of Diaspora. We must always stand united as one.

Karine Avagyan: What kinds of activities do you carry out for preservation of the Armenian identity in France?

Antoin Baghdikian: I am an engineer by profession (electronics). I worked for a French company for about two years, after which I was hired to work as an engineer for a German organization. I had studied English for a couple of months, and I thought I would work for that German organization for a while and learn German as well, but I stayed as a director for 40 years, not an engineer…This is how it turned out. Later, I became so strong and had so many opportunities that I took advantage of those opportunities to serve Armenians. When I turned 60, I was called and told that I should retire, and that is when I started dealing with the issues concerning the Armenian community.

…I am the president of the Union of Former Armenian Fighters and the Resistance Movement in France, which is part of the board of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France and is actively involved in various activities commemorating WWII hero Missak Manouchian and the 23 members of his group. The Union does everything it can to make sure nobody forgets the endeavors of the Armenians who fought and sacrificed their lives for France. As you know, during WWI and WWII, Armenian volunteers fought side-by-side with the French and were on the frontline under Missak Manouchian’s leadership during WWII. When I met Meline Manouchian, I didn’t know about the actions that the Armenians had taken in France. Meline Manouchian told me the story and said the following: “Antoin, my son, our history, the blood that Armenians and Missak Manouchian shed are a golden key that is lying on the floor, and nobody is picking it up.” I thought she was talking about a real key, but it was a key that was used to open all doors in France. No president has been able to reject my initiatives, reject to speak about and on behalf of the Armenians and their endeavors. The French know that the Armenians created a union of volunteers and fought with the French during WWI. The Armenian legion fought until 1920. Missak Manouchian and our compatriots loved France and the French so much that they sacrificed their lives for the country. In France we Armenians have cross-stones, each of which has a symbol. One cross-stone symbolizes the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and on the bottom, the following is written in golden letters: “In memory of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide”. Another cross-stone symbolizes the blood that the Armenians shed for France. This is a sacred path.

Karine Avagyan: Mr. Baghdikian, please tell us a little about your roots and share episodes of how your family settled in France.

Antoin Baghdikian: My mother’s side was from Sasun, and my father’s side-from Marash. I was born in a small village in France. Like thousands of Armenians, my mother was also an orphan. Along with many other Armenians, she also found herself in Greece (Thessaloniki). My father’s side had also gone to Greece and found themselves in orphanages. My grandparents got married in Greece when they were 18 years old. My mother was born in Atina. When she was 3, a man and a woman took her to France…This was her destiny, the destiny of an Armenian…

Karine Avagyan: What is the level of cultural relations between France and Armenia?

Antoin Baghdikian: I am always involved in the military since our Union wishes to provide assistance to schools in that regard. If an Armenian undertakes an initiative in any country, actions must speak louder than words. We need to work harder to preserve the Armenian language, for Artsakh and to achieve international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Our efforts are very important in these areas.

Karine Avagyan: Thank you, Mr. Baghdikian! I wish you success in your pro-national activities.

Karine Avagyan