YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The starting point of Year of Armenia in France will be the September 29 official visit of French President Jacques Chirac to Armenia and opening of the Square of France in Yerevan, in the place of crossing of Mashtots Avenue-Sayat Nova-Baghramian streets. The next day, on September 30, a gala concert will be held in Republic Square with participation of Charles Aznavour and his friends with presence of the two countries' Presidents. On this occasion French variety stars, including Michel Legran, will arrive in Armenia with legendary singer Charles Aznavour. Unprecedented fireworks with the colors of the French flag will take place at the end of the concert. As Edvard Nalbandian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to France, informed journalists at the September 26 press conference, in a symbolic way Year of Armenia in France started on September 21, the day of the 15th anniversary of Armenia's independence. It will be concluded in the same symbolic way in France on the country's national holiday, on 2007 July 14. In 2007 a large gala concert will be also held in France with performances of Moris Ravel's and Aram Khachatrian's two great works, "Bolero" and "Dance with Swords." In E.Nalbandian's words, besides cultural events, many economic conferences and forums will be held in France on the occasion of Year of Armenia. A conference dedicated to cooperation between Armenia and France in the issue of government decentralization will be held in October with participation of Chairmen of French Senate and Armenian National Assembly and delegation led by RA Prime Minister: 23 Armenian and French regions cooperate currently in the format of "sister cities" or "sister regions." Conferences dedicated to trade-industrial, agricultural and high technologies spheres will be held in December, February and March, respectively. In the words of Vigen Sargsian, Assistant to RA President, who was present at the press conference, 500 official and about 100 unofficial events will be held in France on the occasion of Year of Armenia. The catalogue of events has been already published in France. Besides state governmental commissions, Armenian communities of France will also organize some events. The President's Assistant said that many exhibitions with display of Armenian medieval cultural values, painting, photography will be organized in 125 French cities. An exhibition under the title "Surb Hayastan" (St Armenia) to be opened in the halls of Louvres museum is the most characteristic of them. In addition to Etchmiadzin treasures, Matenadaran collections, 40 Armenian khachkars (cross-stones) will be also displayed at the exhibition. As V.Sargsian commented, these are the khachkars that have been already displaced from their proper environment. During the year the Armenian Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras will perform on tours in different cities of France. Besides, retrospective reviews of Armenian films, jazz and variety concerts will be organized. The 3rd biggest collection of Armenian manuscripts in the world kept at the French National Library will be organized at the Library.

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