On March 14 the Embassy of Armenia to the US hosted the inaugural reception, marking the launch of the DC Francophonie Festival with an exhibit of paintings by renowned French-Armenian artist Jean Kazandjian. This is the Embassy’s first participation to the traditional DC Francophonie festival, which has become one of the major diplomatic-cultural events of the US capital.

The collection of artworks, entitled “Best of Both Worlds,” symbolizes two “worlds” that inspire Kazandjian’s art: Armenian culture on the one hand and the French school of surrealism on the other. It will be on public display throughout the Francophonie Festival.

In his welcome speech Ambassador Hovhannisian spoke about other events that will take place during the Festival, especially highlighting the Embassy’s participation to the closing ceremony, La Grande Fete, where an Armenian booth will be displayed. He also reminded about the Francophonie Summit, which will be held in Armenia in 2018.
Jean Kazandjian and his wife, renowned gallerist and critic Christine Argillet also addressed the guests.

The event was attended by ambassadors of Francophone countries, officials from the State Department, representatives of Alliance Française of DC and Smithsonian Associates, as well as artists and representatives of other cultural centers.