Within the framework of the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of “Altitude 5165” French-Armenian Charitable NGO of Ejmiatsin, the delegation of the Departmental Council of Bouches-du-Rhône, France, headed by the President of the Council and Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis Mrs. Martine Gilles Vassal, visited our city. Jonathan Lacote, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France in RA, was also present during the events.
First, the guests visited “Ejmiatsin 13” French charitable dispensary-dental clinic, which was founded due to the joint efforts of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Departmental Council of Bouches-du-Rhône of France and “Altitude 5165” French-Armenian Charitable Organization.
The guests were welcomed with Ejmiatsin dance and bread and salt in the dispensary-dental clinic.
The second part of the event was in the center of the city, where the opening of the monument "Tree of Peace" presented to our city by Bouches-du-Rhone took place.
It depicts an olive tree, which is also the symbol of Bouches-du-Rhône. Such monument can also be found in Jerusalem, Bouches-du-Rhône and already in Ejmiatsin.
Martine Gilles Vassal thanked for the reception, mentioning that the Armenian community is loved and respected in Bouches-du-Rhône and that their people have a special attitude towards Ejmiatsin. She stressed that almost all of their residents have the symbol of Ejmiatsin in their houses.
Greeting the guests in Ejmiatsin, Mayor Diana Gasparyan expressed her gratitude to Martine Gilles Vassal for her humanitarian activity and awarded the honorary title “Friend of the City”.
The Mayor also awarded a Certificate of Gratitude to Lusine Melikyan, the Director of “Altitude 5165” French-Armenian Charitable NGO for the conscientious and selfless work of many years, for great dedication and humanitarian activity.
