April 24, 2024 marks the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. As part of the commemoration, Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice, presided over a ceremony filled with emotion and solemnity.
On this day of commemoration, Christian Estrosi reminded everyone of the duty of remembrance and vigilance towards past and present atrocities, stating that the French Republic and the Armenian people share a common history, written in letters of blood, and a shared destiny.
In his speech, Christian Estrosi emphasized the importance of remembering, of never forgetting the atrocities committed against the Armenian people, a million and a half men, women, children, and elderly murdered because of their Armenian origin and Christian faith. “We do not forget, but we will never forget, not one of those one and a half million shattered lives, not one of those stolen destinies, we will never forget the tragedies your people have endured, nor those they naturally endure today,” he stated.
An indestructible bond between France and the Armenian people
The mayor of Nice also highlighted the deep bond between France and the Armenian people, emphasizing France’s role as a refuge for many survivors of the genocide. He spoke of the courage of those who helped Armenians escape and paid tribute to the Armenian heroes who fought for freedom, with some falling on the field of honor in Nice itself during World War II.
Finally, Christian Estrosi expressed his solidarity with the Armenian people facing contemporary challenges, notably the recent attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia. He stressed the importance for France and for Nice to stand by Armenia and to denounce any aggression against its territorial integrity.
The event concluded with the laying of a wreath at the memorial dedicated to the victims of the genocide, followed by a minute of silence, and then by the performance of the Armenian and French anthems.
