The date of September 13, 2018 marked the opening of the Francophonie Exhibition at Noah’s Ark Art Gallery. Under the high patronage of the Embassies of the French Republic and the Republic of Armenia, the exhibition the long-lasting Franco-Armenian relations that have existed mainly within the linguistic and cultural spheres. The exhibition was dedicated to the upcoming Francophonie summit, to be held in Yerevan in October 2018. Five well-known and successful French artists of Armenian origin were exhibited: Edgar Chahine, Carzou, Jansem, Shart and Assadour. Belonging to different schools and time periods, from the late 19th century to 20th century modernism, these artists enriched the history of art of France through their talent and art, within which they, on one hand, depict French daily life, and on the other instill the feelings and emotions of the Armenians that lived throughout the tumultuous events of 20th century.
At 7:00 PM, The opening speech was marked by Herag Hergelian, on behalf of Noah’s Ark, where he pointed the essential role that the French language has played in bringing various cultures together, such as the French, the Arabic and the Armenian. He stressed that the contribution of the five featured French-Armenian artists offer the best example on multicultural coexistence in between nations, especially within the sphere of Francophone nations. Hergelian reminded the audience not to forget the crucial role that Lebanon plays in creating an atmosphere of intercultural exchanges in the case of the featured artists, as well as for the peoples of both sides of the globe. “Located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern civilizations, Lebanon has always had a unique identity in the Middle East. Here, we encounter a coexistence unseen elsewhere, where the Lebanese citizens freely express themselves in three (and sometimes four) languages, through which they manifest different cultures, such as the Arab, the French and the Armenian” stated Hergelian.
The floor was later given to Ambassador of the French Republic, H.E. Mr. Bruno Foucher, who in his turn expressed his gratitude to the Armenian people (be it in France, Lebanon or elsewhere) for contributing to French history and culture in general, represented as proof this exhibition. He remembered the strong Franco-Armenian relations and conveyed a positive development in the ties of the two nations.
Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, H.E. Samvel Mkrtchyan enthusiastically addressed the upcoming Francophonie summit in Yerevan, stating that it will be a great opportunity for Francophone nations to exchange ideas and develop relations in all spheres and levels. Mkrtchyan emphasized on the role of the Franco-Armenian artists, who due to the various circumstances had lived and were educated in France, turned out, however, to become the pride of both the Armenian and French peoples, through their unique creations and works.
The Francophonie exhibition accommodated the art-loving community of Lebanon, enriching their desire and appreciation of "Francophone" art, and garnered the attention of Lebanese media:
"Leur art dénonce, accuse, justifie, console, assemble et rassemble. De l’Arménie profonde avec ses prolongements de la diaspora au cœur de la France rurale et citadine, du symbole de la grenade à celui du lys, cinq pinceaux de peintres franco-arméniens viennent enrichir la palette des artistes qui s’inspirent de deux sources, de deux rives, de deux horizons, de deux pays.
Des peintres qui font fusionner deux nations de par leurs origines communes et vécus différents. Et cela à travers de superbes narrations picturales où défilent, entre charge d’émotion et images perçues comme un salut, histoires, légendes, visages et paysages." Read more: https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1134796/une-peinture-sous-les-symboles-de-la-grenade-et-du-lys.html "Տրուած ըլլալով, որ «Նոազ Արք» ցուցասրահը վերջին տարիներուն առաւելաբար միջազգային ցուցահանդէսներու կը մասնակցի եւ շատ քիչ պարագաներու միայն արուեստասէր հանրութեան կը ներկայանայ Լիբանանի մէջ, ֆրանսական եւ հայկական զոյգ դեսպանատուներու բարձր հովանաւորութիւնը վայելող այս գեղանկարչական ձեռնարկը ներկաներուն համար առիթ մը եղաւ ըմբոշխնելու ֆրանսահայ բարձրորակ արուեստը: Այս ցուցահանդէսով «Նոազ Արք» անգամ մը եւս կը հաստատէ արուեստի նկատմամբ իր մասնագիտական մօտեցումն ու ցուցասրահը արուեստի տաճարի վերածելու ձգտումը: " Read more: http://www.aztagdaily.com/archives/408742
