STEPANAKERT. – The “Days of Artsakh in France” Festival, which kicked off on November 21 with a  solemn event held in the city of Villeurbanne, and with the participation of Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) President Bako Sahakyan, is still in progress.

Recently, the cities of Valence and Bourg-lès-Valence of Drome Department have hosted the Festival, where numerous events presenting the culture and way of life of Artsakh are held, press service of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In early December, the documentary “We are Our Mountains” by French Armenian filmmaker Arnaud Khayadjanian was shown in Valence, and the ceremonial opening of French photographer Yvan Travert’s “Artsakh: the Spirit of the Land” exhibition took place. During this 15-day exhibition, visitors will also see the animated film “Artsakh in 180 Seconds” by Hulé Kéchichian. It is noteworthy that the exhibition was included in the school program of Valence, thanks to which the schoolchildren of this French city had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Artsakh.

At the New Year Fair in the town of Bourg-lès-Valence, the Artsakh pavilion was also presented, where brochures with information about the NKR, tourist guides, and Artsakh products were exhibited. In her remarks at the ceremonial opening of this fair, Mayor Marlène Mourier reaffirmed her support for Artsakh, stating, in particular, “Since the signing of the Declaration of Friendship with Shushi in 2014, Bourg-lès-Valence has stood with the people of Artsakh.”

The 10-day “Pilgrimage to Artsakh” exhibition of the works by famous French graphic artist Sylvain Savoia has opened at the Drome Department Council building.