March 12^th marked the launch of the events of the Days of Artsakh in France Festival in the French commune of Décines-Charpieu in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

According to the Department of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh, among those attending the solemn opening ceremony were Permanent Representative of Artsakh to France Hovhannes Gevorgyan, Mayor of Décines-Charpieu Laurans Fotra, President of the France-Artsakh Friendship Circle Francois Roshbluan, Deputy of the French National Assembly Daniel Kazarian, Deputy Consul of Armenia in Lyon Gaiane Manukyan, members of Décines-Charpieu City Council, representatives of local self-government bodies and non-governmental organizations and journalists.

The events began with French photographer Ivan Traver’s photo exhibition entitled “Artsakh: The Spirit of a Land”.

The program of the festival also features a presentation of painter Silven Savoya’s watercolor paintings entitled “Journey to Artsakh”, as well as screenings of Arno Khayajanyan’s documentary film “We and Our Mountains” and Hule Keshishyan’s animated film “Artsakh in 180 Seconds” at Tobogan Theater.

The festival will also feature French-Armenian mathematician and historian Claude Moutafian’s lecture entitled “Discovering Artsakh” and to be hosted by the Armenian Culture Home in Décines-Charpieu.

On September 25, 2017, the city of Tchartar of the Republic of Artsakh and the city of Décines-Charpieu of France signed a declaration of friendship.