“Until the genocide of 1915…” These words, translated from French, are inscribed on the Mémorial du génocide arménien. They offer a glimpse into the heart of this monument. It commemorates the Armenian Genocide and honors French-Armenians who died in both World Wars.
We stand in the heart of Paris, near the Armenian Apostolic Church. Here, in this square, the Mémorial du génocide arménien stands. It is more than just a statue. It is a testament to resilience. It’s a reminder of a painful past.
The idea for this memorial began in the 1980s. France officially recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2001. This recognition paved the way for the monument’s creation. Construction began in January 2002. It was completed in April 2003. The Mémorial du génocide arménien was dedicated on April 24, 2003.
David Babayan-Yerevantsi designed the Mémorial du génocide arménien. The memorial features a bronze statue of Komitas. Komitas was a composer, musicologist, and priest. The statue sits atop a pedestal. The pedestal is two meters high. The statue itself is four meters tall.
Who was Komitas? Born Soghomon Soghomonyan in 1869 in Turkey, he displayed musical talent early. Orphaned before age eleven, he found a new path at the Echmiadzin Church Seminary. He became a monk in 1890 and a priest in 1893. He took the name Komitas after a 7th-century poet.
Komitas dedicated his life to Armenian music. He collected and transcribed folk songs. He saved a cultural heritage of universal importance. He organized choirs and orchestras. His work preserved Armenian musical traditions.
The dark shadow of World War I and the Young Turks’ rise brought tragedy. In 1915, Komitas was arrested with other Armenian leaders. He witnessed the Armenian Genocide. This experience deeply scarred him. His mental health declined. He spent his final years in a psychiatric hospital in Paris. Komitas died in 1935. His remains were later moved to Yerevan.
The Mémorial du génocide arménien also honors Armenian fighters and resistance members. They died for France. Their bravery is etched into the monument’s very being.
Take a moment to examine the inscriptions on the base. They are in French and Armenian. They pay homage to Komitas. They honor the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide. They acknowledge the importance of preserving Armenian culture.
Mayor Bertrand Delanoe said the monument helps people to come together through truth. The Mémorial du génocide arménien stands as a symbol. It stands for remembrance. It stands for justice. It stands for hope. It invites reflection. It fosters understanding.