Armenia–France relations

Franco-Armenian relations have existed since the French and the Armenians established contact in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and are close to this day. 2006 was proclaimed the Year of Armenia in France.

During the Middle Ages

Prior to the 11th century, the Franks and the Armenians didn't have much contact together, because of the distance separating them. However, there were earlier contacts between Armenians and Franks by way of the Roman Empire. In 554 during the Battle of Casilinum the Armenian general Narses of the Eastern Roman Empire drove out the Franks and their allies the Alemanni from the Italian peninsula.

Towards the 11th century, the Armenians established the Principality and then Kingdom of Cilicia, which was located on the Mediterranean coast and thus accessible to the Franks and other Europeans who were participating in the Crusades. Armenia was the last Christian safe haven for the Crusaders before facing the Islamic armies of Syria and Palestine. Unlike the Turkic arrival into the area, the Frankish arrival was interpreted positively by Armenian writers and other intellectuals.

In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, continuous contact with Western Europe, most notably with the Frankish Kingdom made way for major social, cultural, and political change in Cilician Armenia. Armenians, who have their own branch of Christianity, came in contact with (and were influenced by) Catholic ideals.

The last dynasty (the Lusignans) to rule Cilician Armenia was of Frankish origin. The last king, Leo VI of Armenia, was buried in Saint Denis Basilica alongside notable French kings such as Charles Martel, Louis XIV, and many others. He was in fact the only foreigner who was buried there.

Contact within the Ottoman Empire

During the reign of Louis XIV, a large number of Armenian manuscripts were taken into the National Library of France. Armenia and Armenian characters are often featured in classical French literature. Authors such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, and many others often talked about the contact of their main characters with Armenian secondary characters.

Armenian studies would start to develop in France after the creation of the Armenian department of the School of Oriental languages with the initiative of Napoleon I.

Armenian Genocide

Towards the beginning of the 20th century, the pro-Armenian French would start to defend the Armenians’ rights whenever they were least respected. During the Armenian genocide of 1915, the French welcomed tens of thousands of Armenians in their country which was a safe haven for them. France was also one of the few countries to send rescue boats for the Armenians. The population of Musa Dagh were rescued by the French who settled them in Lebanon, mainly in the town of Anjar.

France was also the first European country to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide (2001). Jacques Chirac and many others have asked Turkey to admit its past.

In 2006, tensions mounted between France and Turkey after the French National Assembly voted in favor of a bill which makes Armenian Genocide denial illegal.

Armenians in France

The Armenians of France, now numbering 500,000, remained close to their cultural origins, while at the same time; they integrated in France and contributed greatly to Francophone culture.

Many Armenian writers, painters and musicians, such as Sarian, Kochar, Issahakian, Komitas, and many others have worked and have died in France. Both French and Armenians are proud of the likes of Charles Aznavour and Henri Verneuil.

See also

* List of French-Armenians

References

* http://www.doaks.org/Crusades/CR06.pdf
* http://www.russomania.com/L-Annee-de-l-Armenie-en-France,3252 (French)