Marseilles, France, Armenian Genocide Monument
| Subject: | Monument in memory of Armenian Martyrs of the 1915 Genocide and war veterans and resistance fighters who died for liberty and France (view image) |
| Type of Memorial: | Inscription, Monumental Sculpture |
| Sponsor(s): | Set up in 1970 on the initiative of War Veterans and Resistance Fighters of Armenian origin and carried out by the Committee for the monument of Armenians martyrs, war veterans and resistance fighters |
| Architect/Designer/Artist: | Alain Pirian, architect; Alain Pirian and Toros Razdkelenian (Toros), sculptors |
| Placement: | On the ground, consisting of several sculptures and inscription stones. |
| Physical Setting: | Within the city fabric. |
| Tourist Amenities: | Yes |
| Physical Condition: | Well preserved. |
| Inscription: | “In the memory of the 1,500,000 Armenian victims of the genocide ordered by the Turkish government of 1915. To the Armenian combatants who died for freedom and France.” (Translated from Armenian and French). |
| Location: | 339 Avenue du Prado Marseilles, 13012 France |
| Location Description: | The yard of the Armenian Cathedral Saint Sahak and Saint Mesrob Tarkmantchatz of Marseilles. |
| Proposal Date: | 1970 |
| Construction Began: | May 31 1970 |
| Construction Completed: | 1972 |
| Dedication Date: | February 11 1973 |
| Development/Construction Process: | Materials: The steles of reinforced white concrete; Inscriptions on steles of copper; the arrow and the support of the flame of Corten steel; the support of the flame and joined plaque of bronze; Dimensions: - L. 6,00m. L. 6,00m, H. 6,50m. |
| Commemorative Activities: | An Eternal Flame is relit on the night of 23 April and is extinguished at the end of the April 24 gathering. |
| Notable Visitors: | First stone laid and blessed May 31st 1970 by His Holiness Vazgen I, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of all Armenians. Inaugurated February 11th 1973 under the presidency of Joseph Comiti, State Secretary to the Prime Minister and in presence of Mr. Gaston Deffere, Deputy Mayor of Marseilles and of Mr. Louis Philibert, Deputy President of the Regional Council of Bouche du Rhone department. |
| Additional Information: | 85 Commémoration du Génocide des Arméniens. Publication du Comité uni pour la Commémoration du Génocide arménien. Montréal, 2000. Editorial Broad of Armenian Encyclopedia. The Armenian Question. Yerevan: 1996. With additional information from Mr. Alain Pirian, architect. |
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