A square in Paris’s 9th arrondissement has been officially named after renowned French-Armenian composer and conductor Karpis Aprikian, founder and longtime director of the Sipan-Komitas Choir. The inauguration ceremony took place on October 15, marking the first anniversary of Aprikian’s passing and honoring his lifelong contribution to music and culture.
The event brought together numerous officials and members of the Armenian community. Among those delivering remarks were Armen Khachatryan, Ambassador of Armenia to France; Laurence Patrice, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of Memory and Veterans Affairs; and Delphine Bürkli, Mayor of the 9th arrondissement. Members of the Aprikian family — his sons Goryoun and Ara Aprikian, and granddaughter Talin Aprikian — also attended the ceremony.
Other participants included Paris Deputy Mayors Arnaud Ngatcha and Anouch Toranian, Paris City Council member and Delegate for Memory and Veterans Affairs Alexis Govciyan, President of the Philharmonie de Paris Olivier Mantéi, as well as representatives of Armenian organizations, cultural circles, and the broader French-Armenian community.
In his address, Ambassador Armen Khachatryan expressed gratitude to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the Paris City Council, and the leadership of the 9th arrondissement for their initiative in perpetuating Karpis Aprikian’s memory and strengthening Armenian-French friendship.
The ambassador highlighted that through his creative work and his leadership of the Sipan-Komitas Choir, Aprikian played a vital role in promoting both Armenian and French musical heritage. He added that having Aprikian’s name inscribed in the heart of Paris symbolizes the harmonious unity of Armenian and French cultures.
Photos by Melkon Ajamian and Lydia Kasparian
