INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL FOR STUDENTS STUDYING FRENCH LANGUAGE KICKED OFF AT YSU

The opening ceremony was attended by YSU Rector Aram Simonyan, French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lakot, Rector of the French University in Armenia Jean-Marc Lavest, Head of the Foreign Relations and Diaspora Department of the Ministry of Education and Science of the RA Arkady Papoyan, Director of the Central and Eastern European Regional Office of the Francophonie Mohammed Ketata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lebanon Maya Dagher, Executive Director of the French-Armenian Chamber of Commerce Hayk Abgaryan, lecturers, festival participants and guests.

YSU Rector Aram Simonyan noted in his welcoming speech that it is a great honor for the University to host the participants and organizers of the International Festival of Francophonie.

“The festival is underway at a time when the Republic of Armenia is preparing for the 17th Francophone Summit with full responsibility and kindness,” - said Aram Simonyan in his speech, - not only the Armenian government and the relevant bodies, but also every citizen of Armenia. The proof of that is that Armenia and France have historically friendly relations with friendly bridges and ways to universal human values.”

Touching upon the Armenian-French intercultural relations, Aram Simonyan emphasized the fact that there is hardly any family in Armenia who would not have French classic literature at home translated into Armenian, which means that this festival in Yerevan is very dear to Armenians.

French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lakot also touched upon the expectation of Francophonie, noting that it is important not only to promote linguistic values, but also to strengthen peace and democratic processes.