French Armenian singing legend Charles Aznavour was honoured in Israel on Thursday for his family’s efforts to protect Jews and others persecuted by the Nazis during World War II, AFP reported.
According to the agency, the singer received the honour from Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who spoke of his love of Aznavour’s music, saying “La Boheme” was his favourite song.
Rivlin presented him with The Raoul Wallenberg Award, named for the Swedish diplomat who helped thousands of Jews flee Nazi-controlled Hungary during World War II.
Aznavour’s family “hid a number of people who were persecuted by the Nazis, while Charles and his sister Aida were involved in rescue activities”, Rivlin’s office said in a statement.
It is noted that the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, based in New York, presents the award and Aznavour chose to receive it in Israel, it said.
Aznavour, who was born in Paris, spoke of his Armenian origins on Thursday, referring to the Armenian Genocide under the Ottoman Empire and the Holocaust.
“We have so many things in common, the Jews and the Armenians, in misfortune, in happiness, in work, in music, in the arts and in the ease of learning different languages and becoming important people in the countries where they have been received,” he said, adding: “I have an open question and do not expect an answer, yet it is worth voicing. Why do you refuse to recognize the Armenian Genocide considering your own sufferings under the Nazi regime?” Aznavour asked rhetorically.
