It is in reference to Ani, the capital of Armenia around the year 1000, that the section of the Blue Cross of the Armenians of France chose to take this name. The association’s premises are located at 40 avenue Ambroise-Croizat, in the emblematic district of the Red Cross, sometimes nicknamed “little Armenia” because that is where the Armenian immigrants from Eastern Anatolia from 1920, followed by those from the Near East a little later. Humanitarian aid and the promotion of the Armenian culture and language are at the heart of the activity of the recognized association of public utility which brings together around forty members supported by as many supporters.
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Come to the aid of those of their own who need it, in Armenia, Syria, Lebanon, but also today those who had to leave their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh in a hurry following the ceasefire agreement of November 10, 2020, ending the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Closer to us, the association is also working to visit the sick and the elderly to bring them warmth and moral support.
Armenian lessons interrupted by the pandemic
As for the promotion of the Armenian language, it goes through Armenian lessons at the rate of three hours per week in which around twenty registrants of all ages participated before the pandemic interrupted classes this year.
Conferences and cultural and festive events are part of the association’s activities, but here again the program was also disrupted. “Thus, the conference entitled“ Crossed destinies, three centuries of Armenian-Frankish relations ”scheduled for last March was canceled but will be rescheduled as soon as possible and the Blue Cross has preserved the social link by promoting remote exchanges (telephone, exchanges by videoconference) ”, underlines Chaké Sahaguian, president of the Ani section. The Armenian Christmas is also part of the traditions, although this year it was celebrated in discretion on Tuesday January 6.
As for the Christmas market in which the Blue Cross regularly participates with its culinary specialties which visitors are very fond of, “it is a means of financing that has been very lacking this year while the funds necessary to help the refugees are important”, regrets the president.
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