MARSEILLE-100th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity” in Marseille History Museum
By ARAM association with the support of Marseille Provence 2015 Armenia – Photos
Thursday, March 19 at 18:30 a large crowd of nearly 300 people were
present at the History Museum of Marseille, for the opening of the
exhibition of the Association for Research and Archiving of the
Armenian Memory (ARAM) “100 portraits of exile, the search for
identity of Armenian refugees “in the presence of the Mayor of
Marseille and Vice President of the Senate Jean-Claude Gaudin and with
the support of the association” Marseille Provence Armenia 2015 “.This
association led by Angèle Melkonian and launched dozens of events
related to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide to be held
in the Marseille region this year. On stage, Jean-Calude Gaudin,
Jacques Oulassian (Chairman of ARAM), the member Valérie Boyer and
Deputy Mayor Didier Parakian. In the room, among the hundreds of
guests, numerous celebrities such as Artin Varoujan Christian Garbis
Artin’s son, the founder of ARAM Samvel Lalayan Vice Consul of Armenia
in Marseilles Garo Hovsepian (chairman of the House Armenian Youth and
Culture) and elected.
First Oulassian Jacques, president of ARAM intervened to trace the
origin of the exposure and the need for conservation of the Armenian
memory. “I’m from Marseilles! I claim loud and clear and I am proud.
How could it be otherwise, given that Marseille has stirred so many
people from elsewhere, the end of the world while preserving its
uniqueness and its peculiarities, “he said and continue” when you know
that they came, some voluntarily, others in the most painful
circumstances to find a haven of peace and hope for a better future to
offer their children. When we know that this city was a haven for our
elders, came from the gates of hell, exiled survivors of the 1915
genocide When you know the hospitality of Marseilles, as noisy as
warm, cultivating an art consumed live together in respect for
differences. When we know this, we can say, yes! I Marseille and happy
to be. Mayor Senator, I want to express our profound gratitude for
allowing us the realization of this exhibition, in co-production. I
take your presence to tell you how the team of the Museum of History
is professional. I say to the director Laurent Védrine you with his
team of collaborators animated by passion, the desire to live in this
place and expertise … a team of rare quality. Our deep appreciation
also goes for the strong support given to this project by the
association Marseille Provence Armenia 2015. ”
“Originally this exhibition, the records of the Prelature of South
Armenians of France that the association carefully preserved in its
archives. Birth certificates and baptism were written in French and
handwritten. They have been used as a temporary civil status records
for refugees of the Armenian genocide. This quest for identity has
been both an important step in the personal reconstruction of refugees
and an important step in building a diaspora in France. “” The
photographs are preserved and that were associated with those
documents were exhibited last year in Diyarbakir in Turkey. The symbol
was very exposing portraits of genocide survivors, there, in their
homeland in Turkey. The symbol is hard today to present the portraits
of the refugees here in Marseille, on their new home in France.
Dear friends, a few words about the association for research and
archiving of the Armenian memory. More than 7000 old books, thousands
of periodicals, 5,000 photographs and illustrations, many maps,
hundreds of posters, 2,000 documents of all kinds, sound documents,
more than 100,000 pages scanned and put online, all at available to
the greatest number. In parallel with the scanning, archiving and
exhibitions, we continue to gather the family archives to preserve the
collective memory. Mr. Mayor, I take this presentation of the
association to invite you to visit our area, in the heart of the 13th
arrondissement of Marseille, Saint-Jérôme. One hundred years … some
might be tempted to want to tell us this story starting with “Once
upon a time there was a century” … No! No, the memory of the dead is
related item to a banal story based on a novel, it is a genocide and
the crime will never belong to the past, it can reproduce this, it is
not page that can run without risk. Other pages should be turned, the
resentment, the hatred of others and revenge.The memory of the dead
have no fear of time passing. To do this, the work of memory and its
transmission are the best shields against the infamous veil of
forgetfulness. This is what we do with the ARAM association. One
hundred years! Yet it is a victory against the ravages of time. Who
would have thought that a hundred years later, we would talk again?
What books would be written on the subject? That everywhere in the
world where a person of Armenian descent living, memory alive. The
State lies maintained by the leaders of Turkey against the historical
truth to the international community is an open wound. A denial that
protects through diplomatic immunity. Add to that the sacrosanct
principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign
state and the case is heard!
Incidentally, is it not under cover of the same principle that took
place insults to human rights and human tragedies that have marked the
history of the twentieth century? And the beginning of the XXI
century, nothing new, with the genocide in Rwanda, cowardice,
commercialism and realpolitik have the same effect. Even closer to us
is Eastern Christians, Assyrians, Alevis who are prosecuted and killed
before our eyes, without the world really moving. Today we continue,
the Middle East, methodically eradicate a priceless cultural and
artistic heritage. The story continues as if nothing had happened, so
goes the world! Yet we are still here. And we are always there to
ensure justice for the victims of the genocide of Armenians in 1915.
We will continue to fight relentlessly, without weakness triumph for
justice and truth. But it is the truth today? The truth is that Turkey
is responsible for the genocide of the Armenians before history,
everyone knows! The truth is that the Turkish state is guilty of
denial and he devotes significant funds there, everyone knows! The
truth is that Turkey is not yet a democracy, except for those who
close their eyes, because it is always crowded with his clique in
uniform, everyone knows!In these circumstances why would it change of
attitude, why change a strategy that still works, a century later.
Condemn a crime against humanity is a universal cause. Given this
truth, how is it that a crime can not be informed in a fair way? If
hypocrisy and falsehood replace justice and fairness, humanity will
still be unable long to answer this question. Dear friends, Turkey
will have to submit to the truth of history. And we will work it,
generation after generation, all together. We will also ensure
denounce the political exploitation of a noble cause. Nothing will
make us doubt the truth of this fight, that we will again and again,
in all its forms. The elapsed time will not change the case. Thank
you. »
Jean-Claude Gaudin then took the floor to note the importance of this
exhibition. He praised the work done by the Association for Armenian
ARAM memory. Like those of his Deputy Mayor Didier Parakian who worked
for events as part of this year the Armenian memory. He praised the MP
Valérie Boyer for his work in the service of the law criminalizing the
Armenian Genocide. Jean-Claude Gaudin referred to the arrival of
Armenians in Marseilles and integration. He also traced the work and
its implication for the outcome of the vote on the law on the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France on 29 January 2001.
Jean-Claude Gaudin also traced the bills penalizing the denial of the
genocide Armenian. “I’ve worked hard,” he said and added “tomorrow
others will resume this issue and will further to completion.” “The
denial Turkey, I do not want in Europe! “Is he exclaimed in a
thunderous applause. The public was then invited to visit the
exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the search for identity of
Armenian refugees.”
Krikor Amirzayan Marseille text and photo-reportage
The History Museum of Marseille
Jean-Claude Gaudin, Jacques and Didier Oulassian Parakian
Jean-Claude Gaudin, Didier Parakian, Jacques Oulassian
Jean-Claude Gaudin, Jacques Oulassian, Valérie Boyer and Didier Parakian
Richard Findykian center and Garo Hovsepian
The Vice-Consul of Armenia in Marseille Samvel Lalayan
Left Christian Varoujan Artin’s son Garbis Artin
The large audience and personalities
The public and personalities
Nearly 300 attendees
The public was present in large numbers
President Jacques Oulassian ARAM
Jean-Claude Gaudin evokes the Armenian Genocide Law
Jean-Claude Gaudin “No Turkey in Europe!”
Personalities, including the vice-consul of Armenia in Marseille,
Richard Findykian and Garo Hovsepian
Personalities
Among those attending the uncle and mom (right) of Helene Segara
Jacques Oulassian, Christian Varoujnan Artin, a friend of ARAM and
Vartan Arzoumanian
The director of the driver DLL Alcazar Gabrielian and Zaven
The public visiting the exhibition
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Many people at the opening of the exhibition
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Opening of the exhibition “100 portraits of exile, the pursuit of the
Armenian identity”
Friday, March 20, 2015,
Krikor Amirzayan © armenews.com
From: A. Papazian