On April 29-30, 2025, the National Library of Armenia hosted the “France – Arménie: dialogue historique et culturel” (France-Armenia: Historical and Cultural Dialogue) two-day international scientific conference.

The aim of the conference was to comprehensively present the multi-layered historical and cultural relations between France and Armenia. This significant event brought together distinguished scholars and academics exploring the rich heritage shared between the two countries. They delivered reports and engaged in discussions dedicated to the centuries-old relationship, cooperation, literary and cultural connections, publishing heritage, and other topics.

Among the keynote speakers were Gilles Pécout, President of the National Library of France, Charles Personnaz, Director of Institut national du patrimoine (French National Institute of Cultural Heritage), Maestro Alexandre Siranossian, and Anna Chulyan, Director of the National Library of Armenia.

During the first day, the MoUs were signed between the National Libraries of France and Armenia, the École nationale des chartes-PSL (National School of Charters), as well as with “Calfa”, a French organisation specialising in Artificial Intelligence and Heritage preservation.

During the conference, a book exhibition of Armenian publishing houses was held where publications dedicated to Armenian-French relations, translations of French literature, and more were presented.

For the first time, exceptional samples of Armenian and French rare books and press published in France from the National Library of Armenia’s rare book collection were showcased in the library’s Grand Hall.

On April 30, the closing ceremony of the conference and the Gala Concert « Retour aux « Métamorphoses de Tigran »» (Return to “The Metamorphoses of Tigran”) took place at the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Excerpts from Western European composers’ operas related to Armenian history and culture were performed. The concert program was dedicated to the conference’s honorary speaker Alexandre Siranossian, who authored a publication on European operas with Armenian themes (Les métamorphoses de Tigrane – Alexandre Siranossian, co-author Maxime K. Yevadian).

The information partner of the conference was Le Courrier d’Erevan, the only Francophone news platform in Armenia. This conference marked the culmination of Francophone celebrations in Armenia, highlighting the enduring cultural and historical bonds between the nations.