Recently, the Armenian radio station of Valence (Radio A) announced about an exhibition dedicated to the 103^rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and hosted by the local Armenian cultural center.

As reported board member of the Armenian Culture Home Susan Pahlevanian to Hayern Aysor, most of the descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors live in Valence. Many members of the Armenian community, as well as Frenchmen, who knew the history of the Armenian Genocide, rushed to the Armenian Culture Home to view the exclusive paintings that had been provided by the Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.

The issue had been solved months ago when Chairman of the Armenian Culture Home Nazo Jinbashian initially reached an agreement with Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan. The collaboration led to the implementation of one of the programs of the Armenian Culture Home for this year. This exclusive exhibition was entitled “Suffering for Life and Dignity, the Self-Defense Battles during the Armenian Genocide” and was organized with the active participation of board members of the Armenian Culture Home, including Sarkis Cholakian, Girom Boyadjian, Susan Pahlevanian, Armine Rastkelenian and Rozin Sarian.

The beautiful and symbolic design and unique paintings were the witnesses of the slaughter of the Armenians in 1915. It was as if the viewers were “listening” to their whispers. The attendees viewed the paintings, exchanged ideas and expressed sorrow.

In his opening remarks, Nazo Jinbashian attached importance to the fact that it is especially necessary to provide Armenians of the Diaspora with an Armenian upbringing and teach them to stand up for their rights because the Armenian Cause and the will of the martyrs are inmost and universal. As one of the ancient and civilized nations of the world, we Armenians have to solve our issues by becoming mentally and spiritually stronger and with our wisdom. Among the attendees of the opening ceremony were Mayor of Valence, Vice-President of Ron Alper district and President of 52 cities of the agglomeration Nicolas Daragon; Mayor of Gileran Grange Sylvie Gauchet; head of the district council of Drom district Marie Pierre Muteau, as well as members of unions and clergymen.

The attendees left the hall with the longing for the land of their ancestors (Mush, Sasun, Erzerum…).