Rue Haig Tbirian

Did Haig Tbirian ever imagine a street in Paris would bear his name? Here on Rue Haig Tbirian in Bagneux, his legacy lives on. Rue Haig Tbirian isn’t just a street. It’s a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to fighting for freedom. Haig Tbirian was born in Ada-Bazar, Turkey, in 1910. He became involved in communist movements, joining the Egyptian Communist Party in 1927. He later spent time in the USSR and ultimately joined the French Communist Party in 1936. In Paris, he connected with Missak Manouchian and contributed to the Armenian literary magazine Zangou. During World War II, Tbirian became a crucial member of the FTP-MOI resistance group. He played a significant role in recruiting Armenian members. He likely participated in at least one armed action with the Parisian FTP-MOI, the group’s final operation on October 30, 1943. Following this, like many of his comrades, he was hidden by Armenian families. He eventually made his way to the province, working with Soviet prisoners of war. Tbirian was sent to Meurthe-et-Moselle, joining the FFI in Toul. He served from January 1, 1943, until his death on August 15, 1944, during a German counter-offensive. He was killed in the Maquis de Trondes or Boucq. Rue Haig Tbirian remembers his sacrifice. He was a husband and a father to a young daughter. His wife, Baïzar, was the daughter of the Bédanians, the family who welcomed him to France. Years later, in a poignant connection, Baïzar’s younger brother, Gérard Bédani, became instrumental in establishing a partnership between Bagneux and Kirovakan (now Vanadzor) in Armenia. This act symbolized the enduring ties between Tbirian’s birthplace and his adopted home. Here on Rue Haig Tbirian, we remember his courage, his commitment, and his contribution to the fight for liberty. He was recognized as “Mort pour la France” and as a member of the FFI within the FTP. His name is etched on the war memorial and a commemorative plaque at the former town hall in Bagneux. Rue Haig Tbirian stands as a testament to his life and legacy.