Publishing abroad: First International Festival “Return to Book” opens in Yerevan

The First International Festival of Book Art “Return to Book” which is timed to the upcoming celebration of 500th foundation anniversary of Armenian book printing will take place on October 1 – 7 in Yerevan. The Festival is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of Armenia and Yerevan City Hall.

The festival is expected to attract around 25 publishing houses. It aims to bring the attention of the society to the value of the book, and is called to promote the development of book printing in Armenia.

Yerevan will launch a multifaceted program including new books’ presentation ceremonies, actions, seminars, a book fair, as well as series of fairy tales’ reading with participation of Ambassadors of foreign states accredited in Armenia, who will read their national fairy tales to Armenian children.

The first Armenian press was founded by Hakob Meghapart in Venice, whereas the first printed book in the Armenian language came out in 1512. It was the “Holy Bible”. In 16th – 17th cc. Armenian presses were set up both in Europe and Asia, from Marseille and Amsterdam to Kolkata and Madras. The first Armenian press in the Caucasus was established in 1771 in Echmiadzin.