In the footsteps of Missak Manouchian: Armenian Poet in the French Resistance
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
6:00 Reception
6:30 Program
Humanities Gateway 1030
Missak Manouchian (1906-1944) was an Armenian Genocide survivor, poet, communist activist, and defender of liberty who joined the French Resistance during World War II, resolutely leading a group of fighters against occupying Nazi forces. Manouchian, along with many members of his group, was sentenced to death by a German military court and shot by firing squad on 21 February, 1944. In honor of his sacrifice, he entered France’s Pantheon mausoleum, along with his wife Mélinée Assadourian - also part of the Resistance - thus becoming both the first foreign and communist members of the Resistance to be honored in the Pantheon.
The program will include a reading of his last letter to his widow and a talk by Professor Daniel Brunstetter (UCI Political Science Department), followed by a Q&A.
Complimentary parking will be available in Lot 7 at the intersection of Mesa Road and West Peltason Drive. A parking attendant will be present to assist you from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Questions? Email mhkanda@uci.edu or call (949)824-6521
Organized by the UCI Center for Armenian Studies.
Co-sponsors: Center for Citizen Peace Building, Department of History, Department of European Languages and Studies and the UCI Armenian American Alumni Chapter.