Newmag: A Pioneer of Literary Festivals in Armenia
In 2021, Newmag Publishing House took a bold step by launching its first literary festival, Newmag Summer Fest. What began as a single book-centered event soon evolved into a multi-faceted celebration of literature, culture, and the arts.
The overwhelmingly positive response from readers inspired Newmag to broaden its cultural mission. In 2022, the festival calendar was enriched with Newmag Winter Fest, held each February in the lead-up to Book Giving Day. Together, the Summer and Winter Fests established a tradition of meeting Armenia’s book lovers in two vibrant cultural seasons each year.
The year 2023 marked a turning point with the addition of two new initiatives. Francofest, dedicated to French literature and culture, became a unique highlight of the Armenian literary landscape. That same year, Newmag also launched two children’s festivals — Yeraz Book Fest and Back to School Fest — held ahead of the summer holidays and the new academic year, nurturing the youngest generation of readers.
In 2024, Francofest reached an international milestone: the prestigious Goncourt Prize was introduced to Armenia through the participation of distinguished members of the Goncourt Academy. This historic event laid the foundation for the Armenian National Goncourt Jury, and by 2025 Francofest had officially become an international festival.
From its very first edition, which welcomed thousands of participants, Newmag’s festivals have seen remarkable growth. Today, each event offers not only presentations of new books but also diverse cultural, educational, and entertainment programs — transforming them into true celebrations of literature and culture.
