RA ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan and Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan attended the events of the “International Francophonie Day” program in Gyumri.

The first event of the program was held in Gyumri Basic School №10 named after Artem Petrosyan. Ambassador of France to Armenia Anne Louyot joined the Minister and Deputy Minister. The children welcomed the guests in a solemn ceremony, presenting the history and activities of the school. The school provides advanced French language studies in cooperation with SPFA Arménie, KASA and Miassine Foundations, YIC and AVC Organizations. The guests toured the school and got acquainted with the Gyumri Young Teachers Club, which is also aimed at advancing the French language. The children presented their works through handicrafts, performing various musical instruments, and an art exhibition.

The next Francophonie event was held at Gyumri High School №1, where the Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia Lukas Rosenkranz joined the high-ranking guests. Here the delegation also toured, they were presented with the history of the school, its activities, and current programs. The guests visited the school laboratories of Chemistry, Biology and Physics, and got acquainted with the functionality, equipment, and property conditions.

The Computer Science laboratory presented VR glasses with which children participate in virtual experiments. The Minister expressed confidence that the learning process will become more interesting with the help of new technologies. The school also carries out paper recycling in cooperation with PRC Inc.

Then the Minister, Deputy Minister and Ambassadors visited “Hayordats Tun”, where a large event dedicated to International Francophonie Day was held.

ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan made a speech before the start of the event. She thanked for the nice day, noting that it was a great occasion to once again emphasize common values and important activities during the two-month events of Francophonie.

“Today's tour in Gyumri schools and this beautiful evening show the wonderful results we have achieved and the pathway are to cover. Armenia is very active as a member of the International Organization of la Francophonie. Assuming the presidency in 2018, and traditionally celebrating these days, we once again express our commitment to those ideas and values that are a benchmark for all countries of the International Organization of la Francophonie. They reflect basic values such as human rights, the concept of living together, peace, democracy and equality, the importance of which is more than obvious these days. Our upcoming programs will contribute to the realization of these ideas, creating additional opportunities to advance the teaching of the French language and the important values of Francophonie,” said the ESCS Minister and added that Gyumri is not only a sport but also a cultural city, so one should enjoy cultural Gyumri.

In commemoration of the day, the Ambassadors of France and Switzerland to Armenia also made a welcoming speech.

Ambassador of France to Armenia Anne Louyot emphasized the importance of the French language as a key element of intercultural communication, as well as the diversity and universal character of Francophone values, of which Armenia is also a bearer.

“These days are another reason to state that Armenia is considered for us to be a country bearing the values of mercy,” said Anne Louyot.

Complementing his colleagues, the Swiss Ambassador highly appreciated the Armenian-French ties with outstanding personalities, in particular, he mentioned Charles Aznavour as an artist bearing the culture of the two countries. He also expressed hope that in the coming years, at the initiative of the Francophonie Ambassadors, events will be concentrated not only in Yerevan but also in the regions.

The mayor of Gyumri, Vardges Samsonyan, welcomed the attendees to Gyumri, a city with rich cultural heritage, and highlighted the fact that Gyumri and the French city of Mont-de-Marsan are sister cities and are in close cooperation within various cultural programs.

Graduates of Gyumri School No. 1 delivered speeches dedicated to the French language and the Francophonie values, presenting their knowledge of the French language.

The event dedicated to International Francophonie Day was marked by the performance of the school choir and the Gyumri Symphony Orchestra: French music was performed.

Note that on the occasion of the opening of the International Francophonie Day on March 20, a concert of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia was held in the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, during which works by famous French composers Camille Saint-Saens, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel were performed.