OREANDA-NEWS. July 17, 2009. President Serzh Sargsyan received the President of the Union of French producers, President of French Academy of motion pictures, President of Cesar Academy and Administrator of Cannes Film Festival, Alain Terzian and his spouse, reported the Official website president.am.

By the July 13 decree of the President of Armenia, Alain Terzian was awarded the Order of Honor for his significant contribution to the development of cinematography as well as close cultural cooperation with Armenia and his activities directed at further deepening of the Armenian-French relations.

Handing over the high state award, the President of Armenia welcomed the first visit of the world-famous director to Armenia and said, “Destiny has scattered a considerable part of our people all over the world. But in a way, it is also to our advantage, and I say often enough that Armenia is one country with the Diaspora and quite another without it.”

Noting, that the Armenians are proud that Alain Terzian is our compatriot, Serzh Sargsyan underlined, “Individuals such as yourself, make Armenia more recognizable in the world. We want our compatriots living abroad along with being good citizens of the given country, consider Armenia their historical motherland.”

The President of Armenia welcomed the participation of the world-renowned director in the Golden Apricot film festival.

“I am enormously happy, proud and touched to be in Armenia – my historical motherland. The moment I set my foot on the Armenian soil, I was overwhelmed with a strange feeling. This is something that can be comprehended only by the Armenian who has been dreaming all his life to be in Armenia and finally realizes that the dream has come true,” Alain Terzian said. The Armenian-French artist noted that he was impressed with the Golden Apricot film festival, which is becoming more and more celebrated each year.