In 2018, on October 2, a candle lighting ceremony was held at YSU Ijevan branch, dedicated to the memory of our great compatriot, RA National Hero, French-Armenian singer, composer, writer, film actor, public figure, greatest Armenian Charles Aznavour (Shahnur, Vaghinak Aznavouryan).
On the previous day, October 1, “one of the greatest and brightest stars of the Armenian sky rested in peace”… It is unbelievable. A man who brought up generations by his love, whom we have loved since childhood, followed his art and life, have been proud that there was such an Armenian in the world who kept the honor of his homeland everywhere.
Candle lighting dedicated to the memory of the great Aznavour was organized by the YSU IB Department of French Language and Literature and Student Council
Acting Head of the Department of French Language and Literature A. Mardanyan delivered a speech noting that the eldest son of the Armenian people, who belongs to Armenia, France and the whole humanity has left. She underlined that Aznavour was an individual who always stood by his people, who used his genius and influence so that the whole world would not forget and condemn the Armenian Genocide. Aznavour was a whole universe, and now that universe has remained with us, but without its creator.
The 4th year students of the faculty French Language and Literature presented his life and work under the magical sounds of the songs of Aznavour, and recited poems.
Yesterday when I was young
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue,
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game
The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame.
The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned
I always built, alas, on weak and shifting sand,
I lived by night and shunned the naked light of day
And only now I see how the years ran away.
Yesterday when I was young
So many drinking songs were waiting to be sung,
So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see.
I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out
I never stopped to think what life was all about,
And every conversation I can now recall
Concerned itself with me, me, and nothing else at all.
Yesterday the moon was blue
And every crazy day brought something new to do,
I used my magic age as if it were a wand
And never saw the waste and emptiness beyond.
The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died.
The friends I made all seemed, somehow, to drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the play.
There are so many songs in me that won’t be sung,
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue.
The time has come for me to pay for yesterday
When I was young… Young… Young
Acting Director of YSU IB A. Cuculyan delivered a speech, in particular mentioning: “Communicating with our elders, we are cleansed a little, aspiring to betterment, to perfection. The values that Charles Aznavour created and gave will remain in all of us and will inspire hope and belief for all of us to fight, to create kindness, love and solidarity around us. Thank you all! “
