“Camp Oddo, Marseille: A Story of Genocide Survivors” exclusive exhibition opened at History Museum of Armenia

The temporary exhibition titled “Camp Oddo, Marseille: A Story of Genocide Survivors” showcases exclusive materials brought from France, including passports, photographs, documents, and other remarkable objects that tell the story of refugees who survived the Armenian Genocide.

The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the French Association for Research and Archiving of Armenian Memory (“ARAM”). The documentary materials, transferred to the Museum by the Association, depict the everyday life of Armenian refugees who survived the Genocide at the Camp Oddo shelter in Marseille, France, reflecting their life in the camp.

The materials, which relate to the refugees hosted at the “Camp Oddo” shelter in Marseille, France, were provided to the History Museum of Armenia by the French ARAM Research and Archives of Armenian Memory Association.

The exhibition, dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, will run until April 25.

According to David Poghosyan, Director of the History Museum of Armenia, for the first time, more than fifty documentary materials have been brought out of Marseille. These have been combined with a valuable selection from the museum's archives, including clothing, jewelry, and other items.

The “Nansen Passport,” which the “ARAM” Association donated to the History Museum of Armenia a few days ago, plays a key role among the exhibits.

"The exhibition provides an opportunity to study important aspects of this historical event, especially the stories of the genocide survivors. We believe that this collaboration is a new format for developing such exhibitions, combining the collections of the museum with heritage centers in the Diaspora. This approach creates an opportunity to perceive different aspects of our cultural heritage and identity in a new way," said Poghosyan. He also expressed gratitude to the Armenian Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Science, as well as the Embassy of France in Armenia, for their support.

Poghosyan emphasized that the exhibition is also a gesture of gratitude to France, as many Armenians who survived the Armenian Genocide were hosted there. France continues to support them to this day.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Alfred Kocharyan, considers cooperation with Armenian communities an important strategic step.

The French Oddo camp, which opened in 1922 and operated until 1927, sheltered more than 5,000 Armenian refugees. The data on the refugees has been digitized, allowing their descendants to easily find information about their ancestors. According to this data, the refugees came from Sivas. The director of the Oddo camp was Armenian and spoke French fluently.

There was also a school where 400 Armenian students studied, and later, church associations were established, one of which was founded by Grigoris Palakyan (Balakian).