In the context of the Francophonie Yerevan Summit, on October 10, on the initiative of Northern University Rector Boris Makichyan, a public report entitled "Remarkable Episodes of the Armenian-French Friendship " was organized, which was presented by Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Ashot Nersisyan. Greeting present guests, Boris Makichyan first offered to give a minute of silence to the memory of the world-famous chansonie, the great Armenian Charles Aznavour, then touched upon the necessity of organizing the event.
“The Armenians have a special love for the French people, the atmosphere of mutual understanding and solidarity has always been between these two countries, and today we could not lose the chance to present the Armenian youth, especially students, the remarkable pages of the Armenian-French friendship”.
Then, Professor A. Nersisyan presented the remarkable pages of the Armenian-French friendship, starting with the 17th century, when in 1663 Shahmurat of Bitlis met French Emperor Louis XIV for the first time, in order to receive his support to free the Armenian people from the control of his age-old enemies.
Later, the speaker touched upon the remarkable warm attitude shown by the Emperor Napoleon to the Mekhitarist Congregation, and stressed the great support of the French people during World War I, especially during the Battle of Musa Dagh.
Ashot Nersisyan presented in details the great role of Armenians in the French Resistance during World War II, noting that Rector Boris Makichyan's uncle Levon Titanyan was among the leaders of the movement. Summing up the speech, Professor Ashot Nersisyan added that the basis of the Armenian-French friendship is humanism.
At the end of the ceremony, the students made a suggetsion to establish Charles Aznavour and Levon Titanyan Scholarship at the University. Rector Boris Makichyan promised to discuss that issue during the Rectorate's session in the near future, in order to make an appropriate decision.
