YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Paris is getting prepared for a large exhibition on the Armenian Genocide. For four months the exhibition will tell about the biggest crime committed against humanity in early 20th century. Armenpress has interviewed Mr. Jean-Yves Camus, a representative of Paris Mayor’s Office, who was in Yerevan for preparatory works of the upcoming exhibition in Paris.

-Mr Camus, which is Your main goal of this year’s visit to Armenia?

-Like the previous two years, this year too I have visited Armenia at the invitation of the Yerevan Mayor to participate in Erebuni-Yerevan Holiday, as well as for the preparatory works of the exhibition to be held next year in Paris. Collaboratively with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute a big exhibition dedicated to the Armenian Genocide will be held 2015 July-August in Paris. The exhibition is intended not only for the Armenian community but for French people as well, showing not only the events taken place in 1915 but also the ones that preceded them, like those of 1895.

-How well is average Frenchman aware of the Armenian Genocide?

-Curriculums include teaching of the basics of the Armenian Genocide, both in public and private schools. The enormous Armenian community that has settled here after the genocide is among the reasons for organizations of the exhibition. Those people have provided a great service by fighting both during the World War II together with French soldiers and during the World War I, about which the French should know.

-How actively do you cooperate with the Armenian community of Paris?

-The Armenian community of Paris is quite active. We also actively cooperate with the CCAF (Co-ordination Council of Armenian organisations of France), Every April 24 we jointly implement Armenian Genocide commemoration events at the municipality.

- Have you encountered the Turkish lobby while cooperating with Armenian organizations?

-Of course, the Turkish lobby is present, but France has recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2001 and it is impossible to deny. Paris Mayor has repeatedly mentioned that he supports the works directed toward making Armenian Genocide denial criminally punishable.

Interview by Anahit Minasyan