Francophone center opens in Kajaran to strengthen Armenian-French ties

A Francophone Center has been opened in the Armenian town of Kajaran with the aim of further strengthening Armenian-French relations. It is planned to serve as an important platform for French language education, cultural initiatives, and Armenian-French cooperation.

The Kajaran City Hall said in a press release that the initiative was implemented within the framework of the partnership established between the Syunik region and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France and has already generated significant interest among local youth.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of France to Armenia, Olivier Decottignies, the Mayor of Vienne and President of the “Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes–Syunik” cooperation network, Thierry Kovacs, members of the Saint-Chamond delegation, Honorary Consul of France in Goris Carmen Apunts, representatives of Syunik regional and municipal authorities, as well as numerous guests and partners.

It was emphasized at the event that the establishment of the Francophone Center is an important step not only for Kajaran but for the entire Syunik region. It is seen as a symbol of friendship, cooperation, and shared values between Armenia and France.

Kajaran Mayor Manvel Paramazyan noted that in recent years the strong relations formed between Armenia’s Syunik region and France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region have gained new substance, as a result of which Kajaran and Saint-Chamond have become sister cities.

“Our ongoing cooperation and mutual trust have borne fruit, and today a Francophone Center is being opened in Kajaran, which will become a meaningful place for education, creativity, and friendship,” the mayor said, thanking French partners for their support and effective cooperation.

The main areas of the center’s activity include organizing French language courses, conducting cultural workshops, as well as implementing educational and creative programs. The center is currently attended by children, teenagers, and adults who are interested in the French language and Francophone culture.

The Mayor of Saint-Chamond, Axel Dugua, addressed the event via video message, reaffirming readiness to deepen cooperation between the two cities.

Thierry Kovacs added: “We have centers operating in Goris and Kapan for about 20 years, and the Kajaran center is only the beginning. We have high expectations that it will become a driving force for the creation of similar centers in other cities of Syunik.”

The French official underlined that France’s special attitude toward Syunik is also reflected in active cooperation and mutual visits. According to him, this is already his third visit to Syunik in just one and a half years, which demonstrates the continuous development of relations. Referring to Armenian-French relations, Kovacs highlighted the important role of the large Armenian community in France in strengthening friendship between the two peoples.

First Deputy Mayor of Vienne and coordinator of the “Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes–Syunik” cooperation network, Levon Sakounts, described the opening of the Francophone Center as a historic event for Syunik and especially for Kajaran.

According to Sakounts, the first months of the center’s activity have already shown strong interest and engagement among young people, which indicates that the initiative is in high demand. He also emphasized that, for the first time since Armenia’s independence, a comprehensive system of sister cities and sister regions is being formed, within which the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and Syunik province are cooperating at an institutional level, while all seven cities of Syunik are establishing partnership ties with French communities.

Sakounts added that significant efforts have been made to implement these programs both in France and in Armenia. According to him, the large Armenian community in France has contributed since the early 20th century to shaping a positive attitude toward Armenians in French society, but continued work is necessary to further deepen relations between the two countries.