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Update: The body of Armenian activist Sarkis Hatspanian, who died in Lyon on Saturday, will be repatriated to Armenia

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Disappeared in Lyon Saturday, January 20 after a long illness, the body of the Armenian activist Sarkis Hatspanian (55) will be repatriated to Armenia. Sarkis Hatspanian was born in Alexandretta (Turkey) in 1962 and emigrated to Europe in the 1980s fleeing military violence in Turkey. Then he moved to Armenia in the early 1990s, where he was a political activist and fighter in Artsakh. During the events of March 2008 he was among the demonstrators who denounced the presidential elections of Armenia. Arrested, he spent more than three years in prison. For several months he was in Lyon to be treated for a serious illness.

Krikor Amirzayan

Lyon France Armenians stage protest near Turkey consulate general

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About 100 French Armenians assembled nearby the Consulate General of Turkey in Lyon on Saturday, the eve of the 102nd anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

Also, the picketers held a banner that read, “Armenian Genocide, Unpunished Genocide.”

But no offenses or clashes were recorded at the demonstration, reported mLyon.

On April 24, Armenians and the civilized world honor the more than 1.5 million Armenians that were killed in this atrocious crime, which the Ottoman Empire had committed against humanity.

All Armenian intellectuals in Constantinople—Istanbul of today—were arrested on April 24, 1915, and killed. Hence, April 24 has become the Armenian Genocide commemoration day.

Numerous countries and most of the US states have formally recognized and condemned this tragedy.

This calamity is recognized also by the Vatican, the European Parliament, and the World Council of Churches.

France: Lyon Mayor awarded Armenia’s Order of Honor

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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visited the Bellecour Square in Lyon today and laid a wreath at the memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims, President’s Press Office reports.

Later the day President Sargsyan had a meeting with Lyon Mayor Gérard Collomb. The President expressed gratitude to the Mayor for careful attitude towards Armenia-related issued.

Serzh Sargsyan said that Mayor Collomb’s efforts aimed at reinforcement of friendship between the two peoples and his principled stance on Armenian Genocide do not go unnoticed.

The interlocutors discussed issues of decentralized cooperation, interaction in science and education and a number of other directions.

President Sargsyan also left a note in the guest book.  He awarded Gérard Collomb with a Order of Honor for his significant contribution to the reinforcement and development of Armenian-French ties.

The Mayor of Lyon hosted an official dinner in honor of President Sargsyan.

France:1300 people in concert in Lyon Armenchik organized by Nour of Armenia … sublime! Archi-packed hall

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Armenian songFriday, February 12, the hall of the “Espace 140” sold out for the concert with the participation of Armenchik Francesca Ramirez, show organized by the Armenian Association Nour in favor of France-Respite Foundation, which is funding the project a respite home for people with serious or disabling illnesses and their families in Lyon. The co-founder of the Foundation France-Henri Respite Ronan Chabot Nour thanked the Armenian members for their action. The President of Armenia Nour, Vartoug Sahaguian surrounded by Aline Kouyoumdjian treasurer of the association and Caroline Kennedy’s secretary, thanked the public for its very large presence before giving way to the show.

The 1,300 fans came Armenchik Lyon but also Valence, Grenoble, Marseille or even Paris waiting to show several months ago have not been disappointed! Armenchik with her exceptional voice which penetrates the hearts and sublime Francesca Ramirez in “Latin bomb” singer and dancer ignited the famous arch-packed. The Armenichik rhythmic dance songs were hundreds of people in the room. Nearly two hours of intense show with Armenchik that captivated the audience who took with him many of his songs. A great evening of Armenian song with this wide audience, through investment Nour ladies of Armenia were also highly acclaimed for this new initiative.

Krikor Amirzayan, text and photo-reportage in Lyon

System of triumph down LYON CONCERT DEDICATED TO VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE

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LYON CONCERT DEDICATED TO VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE

LYON CONCERT DEDICATED TO VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE

System of a Down (SOAD) was full last night at the Halle Tony Garnier in Lyon, for his concert dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The Californian metal band consisting of American Ameno give 7 concerts in Europe, the last will be held in Yerevan on April 23, on the occasion of the centenary of the extermination of the Armenians. Photo report of Jacques Avakian. Captions: Raphaële Tavernier.

Engaged, the four members of the metal quartet, all of Armenian descent, wanted to with this particular tour marking the centenary celebrations of the Armenian Genocide and also evoke the memory of the victims of 1915.

Make a strong political commitment, Lyon concert SOAD began so sensational via an animated video, recalled the Armenian Genocide.

The leader of System Of A Down, Serj Tankian,

The leader of System Of A Down, Serj Tankian,

The leader of System Of A Down, Serj Tankian, here on stage in Lyon, recently committed to maintaining recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the US House of Representatives.

The Californian metal band System Of A Down (SOAD) occurred this Tuesday, April 14, 2015 before thousands of fans, as part of his tour “Wake up The Souls” (waking souls).

Press Conference SOAD

“We are touched and honored to mark this solemn occasion by sharing our music with our French fans. The support we have received in France and throughout the world makes us hope that the international community will push the Turkish government to do what is right instead of what suits him politically. It is time for the truth and healing, not only for the millions of Armenians eager to justice, but also for the Greeks, Assyrians and other minorities who have also lost their lives. »

Wednesday, April 15, 2015,
Ara © armenews.com

Charles Aznavour expected Monday in Lyon for the opening of Armenian Consulate

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arton101708-480x357The French-Armenian singer will be in Lyon on Monday evening at 18h for the inauguration of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Lyon.

The latter, which lies 2 Feuillat pass in the 3rd arrondissement of Lyon, opened last December with the aim of service to Armenian nationals and to the Armenian community in the capital of the Gauls for.

Charles Aznavour, Permanent Representative of Armenia to UNESCO since 1995, will be present for the occasion alongside including the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, of Viguen Tchitetchian, Ambassador of Armenia in France and Nikolay Sarkisov, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Lyon.

http://www.lyonmag.com/article/66465/charles-aznavour-attendu-ce-lundi-a-lyon-pour-l-inauguration-du-consulat-armenien

Hundreds stage protest against Turkish PM in Lyon

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Hundreds of people staged a protest against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the French city of Lyon as he visited Europe ahead of an expected bid for the BoZwfojIAAAQ6dc.jpg-largeTurkish presidency.

Organisers said 1,000 people took part in the protest organised by pro-democracy and minority groups near a local government office, where Mr Erdogan met regional officials.

Police said there were about 500 protesters.

“His government is authoritarian. It scorns democracy by violently repressing peaceful demonstrations and minorities,” said Mehmet Demirbas, head of a local cultural centre for the Alevi community in Lyon.

The community, which follows a moderate form of Islam and accounts for 10-15 million of Turkey’s 76 million citizens, has frequently clashed with Mr Erdogan’s government.

Mr Erdogan is touring European countries with large Turkish populations ahead of a widely expected run for the presidency in August. As many as 10,000 people demonstrated in Vienna when he visited Austria earlier this week.

The prime minister has been accused of autocratic tendencies in Turkey, but faces little opposition for the presidency.

Mr Erdogan later met members of Lyon’s Turkish community, calling on them to maintain their identities.

He urged them not to forget their “culture, traditions, identity and especially faith” while integrating in France.

Touching on Turkey’s long talks with the European Union on membership, Mr Erdogan said it was only a matter of time before the country was admitted.

“The EU needs Turkey… the EU needs Turkey because of its young and dynamic population,” he said. “Turkey is not a country that will be kept at the door forever.”