On May 25, as part of his working visit to France, the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Zareh Sinanyan, visited the Khachatur Abovian School and Cultural Center adjacent to the Holy Translators Armenian Cathedral in Marseille. He was accompanied by the Consul General of Armenia in Marseille, Ara Mkrtchian.
During the visit, Sinanyan met with Karen Khurshudyan, Chair of the Board of Trustees, members of the school’s leadership, and Garik Kiurkchian, Art Director of the “Sahak-Mesrop” Choir, Head of the Cultural Center, and Board Member of the French-Armenian Center for Art and Culture.
The discussion focused on the school’s current activities, future plans, existing challenges, and community-driven educational and cultural initiatives. Opportunities for closer cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs were also explored.
Later that day, Sinanyan met with Armenian youth at the “Sahak-Mesrop” Cultural Center.
He presented the Office’s key initiatives, youth-focused programs, and potential areas for collaboration.
Special attention was given to the upcoming Armenian National Youth Forum, scheduled to take place in Yerevan from August 5 to 7. Sinanyan emphasized the importance of active participation by Diaspora youth, noting the role of such platforms in strengthening pan-Armenian ties.
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Also present at the meeting were Consul General Ara Mkrtchian, Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs in France André Nersier, and Diaspora Youth Ambassadors Luiza Hakobyan and Tigran Yeghiazaryan.
That same evening, Sinanyan attended the second celebratory concert marking the 80th anniversary of the Jeunesse Arménienne de France (JAF – Armenian Youth of France) cultural organization, where he delivered a speech.
The event featured a performance by Armenia’s State Dance Ensemble “Barekamutyun,” led by Chief Ballet Master Zohrab Bakalyan, who was specially invited to France for the occasion.
Among the attendees were Consul General Ara Mkrtchian, Art Director of JAF Marseille Pascal Chamassian, and other guests.
The anniversary concert series will conclude on July 31 in Yerevan, where the JAF “Araxe” Dance Ensemble will perform a joint concert with the “Barekamutyun” State Ensemble at the Gabriel Sundukyan National Academic Theatre.
