“He was a hero of the Resistance” These words echoed President Macron’s tribute to Arsène Tchakarian. This Mail Arsène Tchakarian in Vitry-sur-Seine commemorates a remarkable man. Arsène Tchakarian a French-Armenian historian and resistance fighter lived a life of extraordinary courage. Born in 1916 in the Ottoman Empire he fled the Armenian Genocide with his family. They found refuge in France in 1930.
Arsène became a tailor in Paris. He joined the French Communist Party in 1936. He participated in the popular front demonstrations. He became a vital member of the French Resistance. He joined Missak Manouchian’s group the FTP-MOI. This group was made up of immigrants and fought against the Nazis.
They engaged in acts of sabotage and armed resistance. Arsène took part in six operations before the arrest of Manouchian. He miraculously escaped capture. He hid among Armenians then he reached Bordeaux. In 1944 police officers protecting resistance fighters provided him shelter. He then went on an intelligence mission for the Resistance in Mérignac near Bordeaux.
After the war Arsène became a prominent figure in the Armenian community. He was a strong advocate of the pro-Soviet and communist movement. He was involved in the JAF and the UCFAF. He became a highly respected historian. He dedicated himself to documenting the experiences of resistance fighters. He published several books including Les Francs-Tireurs de l’Affiche rouge. This book challenged claims of communist involvement in the downfall of the FTP-MOI. He also wrote about the executed fighters of Mont-Valérien. He worked as a consultant for the Mont-Valérien Commission. Arsène frequently visited colleges and high schools to share his experiences.
His dedication and commitment to historical accuracy were evident throughout his life. He was awarded the Legion of Honor multiple times. This reflects his unwavering service to France. His legacy is a testament to his bravery and his tireless efforts to preserve history. He died in 2018 at 101 years old. He is buried in Ivry-sur-Seine cemetery. The Mail Arsène Tchakarian stands as a fitting tribute to this extraordinary man his courage and his contribution to France. His story resonates with us even today a reminder of the power of resistance and the importance of remembering history.