Paris: People’s Artist Sirus Mirzazade, in an interview with APA, shared an intriguing and tense encounter that took place during an art exhibition in France between 1994 and 1995.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Mirzazade explained that during the exhibition, which featured 4-5 artists, they took a tour of the city and entered an Armenian-owned shop. The shop owner, surprisingly speaking in Turkish, accused them of past grievances, claiming, “You are not good people – you spat on bread and threw it on the ground, and told our people to pick it up and eat it. You kept them hungry.” Mirzazade responded by questioning the man’s familiarity with Turkish culture, asking if he had lived in Trkiye. Upon confirmation, Mirzazade challenged the accusation by explaining the cultural significance and respect Muslims have for bread, including the practice of picking up fallen bread, kissing it, and placing it in a safe spot.

The shop owner, taken aback by this explanation, admitted to visiting the exhibition and acknowledged that there was no offensive content regarding war or Armenians. He stated that had there been any, they would have destroyed the exhibition. Despite offering a gift to Mirzazade and his companions, the group declined and exited the shop, leaving the encounter with a peaceful resolution.