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Yvonne Botto biography presented at UNESCO headquarters under banner of multiculturalism

23 November 2016 11:45 (UTC +04:00)

Baku – APA. On 21 November, the French office of The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) in collaboration with Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO presented the book “La vie rêvée d’Yvonne Botto” (The Dreamlife of Yvonne Botto) released by TEAS Press publishing house, at the headquarters of UNESCO, in heart of Paris.

The event was attended by around 100 guests among whom diplomats, journalists, academics, students and lovers of Azerbaijan, TEAS told APA.

During his opening speech, H.E Anar Karimov, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, said: “Azerbaijan is one of the cradles of humanity and an example of peaceful coexistence between people of different nationalities and religions. My country became synonymous of acceptance and tolerance, trust and confidence between people of different faiths who enjoy peaceful coexistence and live with mutual respect for each other. It is exactly guided by this spirit and principles we organized today’s event here in UNESCO Headquarters, a global organization which is on the forefront of action to promote peace and dialogue, mutual understanding and tolerance as it stated in its Constitution.”

Mr Dendev Badarch, Head of Social Transformations and Intercultural Dialogue Division at UNESCO, said: “Yvonne’s story is an example of bridge between nations and cultures. This book will be a source of inspiration and hope in goodness and humanity”.

Mrs Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Head, TEAS France, then took the floor.

“Yvonne Botto illustrates how the personal history of a human being can be mingled with the great History of humankind. Yvonne's life is so extraordinary that it attracted the attention of the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, during his visit to Azerbaijan on 11 May 2014 who declared: “Thank you Mrs. Botto for giving us confidence here in the French Republic and this sign of friendship between our two countries ... You are the example of the friendship between France and Azerbaijan."- she quoted.

Mrs Marcelle Botto, Yvonne’s cousin was also present at the event. In a moment full of emotion, Marcelle shared her memories about Yvonne – from her extraordinary story to their epistolary contact during the Soviet times and after until they met each other in 2011 thanks to TEAS who brought Yvonne to France, at Le Fayet, her childhood village. “Yvonne story is a story of love before everything. She accepted all the hardships motivated by her love for her husband first, then by love for her children” she said.

The event was then followed by a book signing session with the author, Shain Sinaria, and a mesmerizing concert of ethno-jazz by the virtuoso Emil Afrasiyab, one of leading artists of the young generation of Azerbaijani jazzmen and the National Artist of Azerbaijan, the accordionist Anvar Sadigov.

A French emigrant who came to live in Azerbaijan after the Second World War, Yvonne’s romantic story entranced the French media in 2011.

The story began in summer 2011, when The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) noticed an article on Yvonne Botto by journalist Sabuhi Mammadli in the Azerbaijani media. Sabuhi had travelled to the Imishli region in Southern Azerbaijan, near the Iranian border, to report on those people who had lost their homes during the great floods that ravaged the region, including that of Yvonne. He discovered that Yvonne, originally from Haute-Savoie, left France in 1947 to follow her husband, a former Soviet soldier of Azerbaijani origin, and settled with him in the small village of Murguzalli in the Imishli region. He died soon after their marriage, and she decided to remain for the sake of her son.

Yvonne eventually returned to her homeland after 64 years, thanks to TEAS who rallied forces to find members of her family in France and helped with her visa and travel to the country. In October 2011, at the age of 83 years, Yvonne was finally able to return to Le Fayet, her childhood village, and visit the graves of her parents and brother who passed away without being able to see her again.

Prior to the event, TEAS has also organised a guided tour of UNESCO headquarters for Azerbaijani students. After being welcome by H.E. Ambassador Karimov, they met with representative from Unesco Human Resources department who informed them about internship and job opportunities.