Diaspora in Marseille Leads Torchlight March and Ceremonies for 111th Genocide Anniversary

A commemorative event marking the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was held in Marseille, where diaspora members played a central role in honoring the memory of the victims and survivors.

The remembrance began on April 23, when youth from the Armenian diaspora organized a symbolic event using flames. This act reflected the commitment of younger generations to preserve memory and continue the call for recognition.

The official ceremony took place the following morning, attended by political leaders including Sébastien Lecornu and the Mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan. Their participation underlined the importance of the Armenian community in France and the recognition of its history.

Diaspora members, including scouts and students from the Hamaskaïne Armenian School, were present at the ceremony. Their involvement showed how Armenian families in France continue to pass on their history, culture, and traditions across generations.

During the ceremony, the French Prime Minister delivered a speech honoring the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the Armenian Genocide. He also spoke about those who survived and found refuge in France, particularly in Marseille and other cities, where diaspora communities rebuilt their lives while preserving their identity.

He referred to statements made by early 20th-century French figures, including Jean Jaurès, Georges Clemenceau, and Anatole France, as well as others, regarding the crimes committed by the leadership of the Ottoman Empire against the Armenian people.

In the evening, diaspora members gathered for a torchlight march. Starting from an Armenian Apostolic church, participants walked together to the Armenian Genocide memorial in Marseille. Carrying torches, they moved through the streets in a unified procession, ending the day with remembrance and reflection.

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