YEREVAN (Combined Sources) — On September 4, Armenian President Serge Sargisian received French actor Gérard Depardieu, who was on a visit to Armenia as a guest of the Karot (nostalgia) international festival.
According to Sargisian, Depardieu’s participation in Armenian cultural events helps the Armenian nation.
“We consider ourselves to be a nation which appreciates culture. And we think that culture makes the basis of our national identity,” said Sargisian.
For his part, Depardieu said that he knows descendents of survivors of the Armenian Genocide in France. “I am also glad to be here in Armenia. I know many Armenians residing in France, who managed to live and build their life after the Armenian Genocide due to their culture and ability to survive,” said Depardieu, naming well-known representatives of the Armenian community of France — Henri Verneuil, Jansem and Charles Aznavour.
“That’s why I happily accepted the invitation of the Armenian Cultural Development Fund. If a country has such deep traditions and interesting geography, it means that its people are tolerant, generous and rich,” concluded Depardieu.
Depardieu received the Medal of Honor of the Armenian National Assembly from National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan.
