At the invitation of “Hrayr Marukhian” committee of Marseille, on Saturday evening, about 200 guests attended L’Acte 12 theater to celebrate the 133rd anniversary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
This year, due to the expropriation and ethnic cleansing faced by Artsakh, as well as out of respect for the victims of Artsakh and our compatriots held hostage in Azerbaijani prisons, the committee decided to replace the traditional dinner with a modest initiative.
The opening speech of the manual was delivered by friend Lena Arapoglean in Armenian and Talin Arakelian in French.
Referring to the history of the ARF in the opening speech, the speakers stated, “Dear friends, today the ARF is me, you are our youth, our “New Generation” youth, our friends… The ARF is the teacher that transmits the Armenian language and history, is the pan-nationalist who preserves the Armenian dance and song, every friend who defends our Armenian cause.”
Then, the speaker of the day, ARF Western Europe Central Committee member and France Armenia editor-in-chief Harut Martirosyan, described the current situation and presented the vision of the party.
Afterwards, the representative of the ARF Central Committee of Western Europe, Hrach Varjabedian reminded of the importance of the struggle for the protection of the Armenian people, condemning the concessions of the Armenian authorities, which paved the way for the seizure of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
Varjabedian also recalled, ARF Bureau member Davit Ishkhanian, who is also the chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, and who is still a prisoner in Azerbaijan. Varjabedian emphasized in his speech that before being taken hostage, Ishkhanian had already confirmed that he would be the last person to leave Artsakh and that he would not be able to leave his people and run away. His courage is an example and a source of pride for us, reiterated Varjabedian.
Young and talented youths came to the event with an artistic performance, they recited, performed a song on the Armenian scale and accompanied the singer with revolutionary songs.
After the screening of the video about the history of the ARF, the audience sang revolutionary songs. The songs were received with pride by the public.
ARF Hrayr Marukhian Committee,
Marseille, December 5, 2023.
