Within the framework of cooperation between the Chair of French Philology at YSU Faculty of European Languages and Communication, the Embassy of France in Armenia, the Days of French Literature Association, and the Aznavour Foundation, a three-day conference titled "Days of French Literature" was held at YSU. The event aimed to promote the study and in-depth understanding of French literature through presentations, lectures, and film screenings.
This year's conference was dedicated to the literary legacy of three outstanding figures of French culture—Jean Cocteau, René Char, and Antonin Artaud.
The opening ceremony was attended by Elina Asriyan, YSU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, and Xavier Richard, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of France in Armenia. In their remarks, they emphasized the significance of the conference as an important platform for strengthening Armenian-French academic and cultural relations.
Keynote lectures were delivered by Bernard Franco, Professor of Comparative Literature at the Sorbonne University, and Olivier Belin, lecturer in 20th–21st Century French Literature at the same university. Their presentations focused on the interpretation of Antonin Artaud's and René Char's poetry, highlighting the influence of the Surrealist movement and the role of Surrealist writers in shaping modern French literature.
It is worth noting that this conference format has become a tradition, with each year's event dedicated to a distinguished French writer or intellectual.
In addition to the presentations and lectures, a round-table discussion was organized with the participation of students from YSU Chair of French Philology, providing them with an opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with the invited French specialists.
