Performance "Manouchian..." in Artsashat to usher in Francophonie  Days in Armenia 

ArmInfo. On March 14, in the city of Artashat, at the Amo Kharazyan state drama theatre, a ceremonial event was held to mark the launch of the traditional two-  month Francophonie celebrations in Armenia, within the framework of  which, the theatrical performance "Manouchian..." was showcased. The  event was organized through the joint initiative of the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and  Sports.

During the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Zhanna  Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports,  Robert Abisoghomonyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the  President of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors in Armenia,  Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia Lukas Rosenkranz..

In his speech, Deputy Minister Robert Abissoghomonyan mentioned that,  in accordance with a long- standing tradition, hundreds of events  will take place across Armenia, with the participation of Armenian  Francophone actors, government agencies, and the embassies of  Francophone countries accredited in Armenia. He emphasized that the  choice to launch the two-month event in Artashat is symbolic and  demonstrates the spread of the French language in Armenia's regions.

Robert Abisoghomonyan emphasised that this exceptional celebration of  Francophonie Days represents the strength of intercultural  connections that unite Armenia with the Francophonie world, around  values of dialogue, peace and creative development. A logical  continuation of this path will be the 10th International Francophonie  Games, which Armenia will host in the summer of 2027, bringing  together the youth of the entire Francophone world in one location.

In his speech, Deputy Minister Abisoghomonyan also addressed the main  cultural event of the day, the "Manouchian..." performance, dedicated  to the French Resistance hero Missak Manouchian. He specifically  noted: "Missak Manouchian, being a person of literature and peace,  waged an unwavering fight for freedom and human dignity. His heroism  carries a universal message of brotherhood, demonstrating that the  defense of universal values transcends origins and conflicts, and  that everyone must contribute to the building of a world based on  solidarity and human dignity."

From March 14 to 18, Yerevan and Artashat will host the "Manouchian  Week" dedicated to the leader of the French armed resistance against  the Nazis during World War II, Missak Manouchian, and his comrades.   The series of events includes theatrical performances, conferences,  exhibitions, screenings of documentary films, and discussions. In  particular, the presentation of the book "Misak Manouchian: Through  the Eyes of an Eyewitness", the play "Manouchian...", the premiere of  Shoshana Bukhobza's play "Manouchian", the screening of Kati  Giragosyan's documentary "Misak and Meline" and others will take  place.

The project is being implemented with the support of the RA Ministry  of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the Yerevan Municipality,  the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, the French region of  Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and the Lyon Municipality, the French theater  union Sate-Atre, the NGO "Art- Image", the French Embassy in Armenia,  the French Institute and others.

The partners are the E. Charents State Museum of Literature and Art,  the Armenian Genocide Museum- Institute, the Matenadaran  Museum-Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, the Union of  Cinematographers of Armenia, the Amo Kharazyan Artashat State Drama  Theater, the Pantheon of France, the Roger-Violet Gallery, the French  University in Armenia, and the Alef Publishing House.