YEREVAN. – Patrick Malakian – famous French director and son of famous director Henri Verneuil is in Yerevan for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. (photos)
Malakyan arrived in Yerevan from Marseille by Harley Davidson motorbike. Armenian News-NEWS.am talked to the director during a short break after which he went to a street named to honor his father.
Why did you decide to come to Armenia by bike?
I'm a motorcycle man and I wanted to do the opposite path that my grandparents did in 1920 when they came to France. I did the opposite road. So that’s why I called it “one road for one century.”
What cities did you ride through on your way here?
I left Marseille and headed to Poland, Italy, Greece, Turkey – Istanbul (I had to say Constantinople), Ankara, Trabzon – Batumi and to Yerevan.
Bike is one of the most dangerous kinds of transportation. And yet you took a risk to cover such a long distance on it. Were not you scared?
No. I was never afraid. I’ve been travel ling on motorbike for the last 25 years.
Do you feel to be French rather than Armenian, or vice versa?
I’m both. I’m French and Armenian. I think it’s a mix of feelings, it depends on what I’m talking about. Right now I feel more Armenian, but at the same time I’m very grateful to be French also.
What do you feel when you hear Turkish authorities deny the Genocide, which to my great regret affected your family too?
I think…rage.
It isn’t your first visit to Armenia, particularly to Yerevan. Do you think that the city has changed?
Well, I think it’s getting better and better. It’s getting more modern, it’s getting more alive and I hope it’s become even better than today.
The French language is considered to be one of the most beautiful languages in the world. And how would you describe the Armenian language?
It’s very difficult, I’m learning it now, it is very difficult.
Can you say anything in Armenian?
No. I’m only starting. Later…
Do you like today's Patrick Malakian as you are?
I go a long way and I grow up, I changed and I don’t picture myself in ten years. I just hope that in ten years I will be better than now and ten years ago it was the same thing. Am I better now than ten years ago? I am not the one who can judge.
Do you feel happy now that you are staying in Armenia?
Yes, I’m a very happy man to be here.
