YEREVAN (Armenpress)–An Armenian delegation–led by interior minister Hayk Harutunian–which also included senior officials from Armenian foreign and defense ministries–arrived in Paris February 15 to transport the remains of Armenian national hero General Andranik Ozanian–buried in Paris Per La Chaise cemetery–to Armenia.
According to Armenian defense ministry–a solemn ceremony was held in front of Andranik Ozanian’s grave which was attended by around 1,500 Armenia’s from Paris and nearby towns–senior clergymen–Ozanian’s relatives–mayors of French towns and assemblymen.
National anthems of France and Armenia were performed–then the remains of Andranik Ozanian were covered with the Armenian national flag which was followed by speeches of senior officials.
After a solemn requiem Mass conducted by archbishop Nakkashian–head of Armenian diocese in France–the coffin with the remains of Andranik was taken to Saint John the Baptist Armenian Church in Paris. The Armenia’s from Paris and other French towns attended the mourning service in the church which lasted until late at night.
Gen. Andranik’s remains are to be transported to Yerevan from Paris on Thursday. The exhibition that opened at the National Library of Armenia was dedicated to this event as well as the 135th birthday anniversary of the outstanding warlord.
Books–magazine and newspaper articles describing the life and activities of the national hero Andranik Ozanian–his published works–songs devoted to Gen. Andranik–and other material in Armenian–Russian–English and French are put on display in the exhibition hall of the library.
Gen. Andranik was born in 1865 in Shabin-Karakhisar. From 1895 he participated in the Hayduk movement; in 1904 he commanded the heroic defense of Sassoun; in 1905 moved to Bulgaria–then participated in the Balkan war of 1912; in 1914 went to the Caucasus and placed himself at the head of a voluntary regiment. In 1917 Andranik was promoted and General and appointed Commander of a unit. General Andranik died in 1927 in Fresno.