The 90th annual International Fair of Marseilles was held at Chaneau Park in Marseilles on 26 September-6 October.
During the fair, the Armenian Cultural and Youth Center in Marseilles and the French-Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry set up an Armenian pavilion presenting the products made by Armenians from France and Armenia, starting from food and ending with mementos. The pavilion mainly included sections devoted to books, tourism, banking, construction, as well as the production and reprocessing of stones.
In the frames of the fair, October 3rd was declared as “Official Day of Armenia”, which was organized by President of the General Council of the Department of Bouche-du-Ron Jean Noel-Guerini, General Director of the International Fair of Marseilles Michel Kester and President of the Armenian Cultural and Youth Center in Marseilles Garo Hovsepian.
The event was organized under the patronage of RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hagopian and brought together Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Marseilles Vardan Sirmakes, mayors, representatives of local self-government bodies and the local Armenian community, as well as journalists and several visitors.
In his speech, Consul General Vartan Sirmakes mentioned that the Consulate General is always willing to support any initiative that will make a contribution to the development of the cooperation between France and Armenia in economy, culture, science and other spheres.
The Consul General expressed gratitude to the event organizers, particularly Mayor of Marseilles Jean-Claude Gaudin for declaring the year 2015 as the Year of Armenia in Marseilles.
After the fair, representatives of several travel agencies and tour operators participated in the “Tourism in Armenia” Forum organized by President of the French-Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bernard Ademian at Calelong Hall of the Palace of Assembly.
Paris-based Armenian professor Gerard Ashdjian delivered a speech devoted to the perspectives and conditions for the development of tourism in Armenia.
The event ended with a concert featuring performances by Massis Group and talented French-Armenian singer Grigori Bakiyan.
