France 24 to live broadcast Genocide centennial commemoration ceremonies in Armenia
Since April 18th until April 24th, to mark the centenary of the Armenian genocide, France 24 is offering a special series of programmes dedicated to the Armenian people, its history and culture, on its three channels (in English, in French and in Arabic).
Provisional programme:
From 18 to 24 April:
REPORTERS – First broadcast Saturday 18 April at 21.10 (repeated during the week)
Format: 17 min
Presentation: Mark Owen
In 1915, the first genocide of the 20th century claimed one and a half million victims. The Ottoman government had ordered the extermination of the Armenian people. But between 100,000 and 200,000 women and children survived, becoming Islamised and integrated into the Kurdish and Turkish populations. Today, their descendants are discovering Armenian roots that have lain hidden for generations. Some are researching their ancestors to reclaim their history and culture; others are considering converting to Christianity.
Report by Achren Verdian and Johan Bodin.
On 23 and 24 April:
FOCUS – First broadcasts at 06.45 (repeated all day long)
France 24 will propose two long-format reports dedicated to two towns with important Armenian communities: the Lebanese town of Anjar in the Bekaa Valley, and Marseille, the cradle of the Armenian community in France.
Reporting in Lebanon by Selim El Meddeb and Adam Pletts.
Reporting in Marseille by Noufissa Charai and Luke Shrago.
On 24 April:
From 06.30 and throughout the day, France 24 will live broadcast the ceremonies taking place in the Armenian capital in the presence of numerous Heads of State.
At 12.15, France 24’s cultural programme Encore! (A l’affiche! on the French channel) will also be dedicated to Armenian artists with a special show in Yerevan. Among others, Tigram Hamazyan, jazz pianist, and the photographer Antoine Agoudjian, will be guests of Eve Jackson and Sonia Patricelli.
The channel will also punctuate its news bulletins with contributions and reports from its correspondents and reporters in Armenia, France and around the world. Finally, this special programming will be accompanied by excerpts of recent exclusive interviews with the Armenian and Turkish Presidents, Serzh Sargsyan and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
France24.com will also publish a new webdocumentary devoted to the survivors of the 1915 genocide, who managed to pass on their ancient history and culture to succeeding generations. The webdocumentary will contain a number of portraits of descendants of survivors who have taken up the torch and, in their own way, maintained the heritage of an entire nation.
