What Books and Writers Will Newmag Present at Francofest 2025? The publishing team was hosted by “Good Morning” program (video)

In the “Good Morning” program on Armenia TV, Nane Manukyan, Head of Corporate and International Partnerships at Newmag; Manu Iritsyan, Multimedia Content Manager; Ani Hakobyan, Head of Literary Programs; and Hasmik Sargsyan, Executive Director of the Zenith Academy Armenian-French Educational Foundation, spoke about the upcoming festival and its rich program.

Nane Manukyan shared how Francofest grew into an international festival in just three years. 

“In its first year, we presented only our French titles. By the second, Armenia had already joined the Goncourt National Jury, and last year, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie became one of our key partners. Today, Francofest has reached an institutional international level, we are showing the global community the kind of literary environment Armenia has and what initiatives we are leading.”

The Zenith Academy Foundation has also joined the festival this year. Executive Director Hasmik Sargsyan explained their motivation:

“Zenith is an Armenian-French foundation offering over 300 educational programs. Continuous education is essential in a competitive world. Since ongoing learning is inseparable from literature, we initiated a panel discussion on ‘Continuous Education in Armenia and France.’”

The discussion will be moderated by Hasmik Sargsyan and feature Hakob Azhamyan, co-founder of Zenith Academy; Ruben Hayrapetyan, founder and director of Matena Leadership School; and Gevorg Poghosyan, director of reArmenia and the “Ay Qez Ban” educational movement.

In addition to educational panels, the festival will feature a theatrical discussion ahead of a major premiere, Hrach Keshishyan is directing the stage adaptation of Amélie Nothomb’s “Blue Beard,” first published in Armenian by Newmag at the inaugural Francofest.

Festival partner Maison Marom Group of Companies will also present a special session on business and culture, highlighting how lifestyle, fashion, gastronomy, and cultural initiatives can drive social interaction and create spaces where ideas and traditions meet modern innovation.

According to Manu Iritsyan, the highlight of this year’s festival will be the presentation of Gaël Faye’s “Jacaranda,” the novel selected by the Armenian National Jury of the Goncourt Prize. 

“Each year, the Goncourt Academy announces a laureate in French literature, but national juries around the world also make their own choices. Jacaranda won in 25 out of 39 countries — an interesting sign of shared taste among young Francophone readers.” 

Alongside Jacaranda, Newmag will introduce three more remarkable titles at Francofest 2025:

• Nicolas Mathieu’s “And Their Children After Them” – winner of the 2018 Prix Goncourt, a powerful portrait of France’s 1990s generation.
• Joël Dicker’s “The Baltimore Book” – the latest novel by the celebrated Swiss-French author of “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair”.
• Pascal Bruckner’s “My Little Husband” – published in Armenian for the first time, with the author himself attending the presentation.

Ani Hakobyan, Newmag’s Head of Literary Programs, noted:

“Pascal Bruckner is returning to Francofest for the second time. He’s a truly pro-Armenian figure, often speaking out in the French press about Armenia and Artsakh and raising these issues before high-level officials. His new novel is a philosophical and psychological drama about the role of men in modern family and society. The presentation will take the form of an interview between Bruckner and Artak Aleksanyan, Head of Newmag.”

The Francofest 2025 International Festival will take place on November 15, from 15:00 to 21:00, at the Congress Hotel.

The festival is made possible thanks to its dedicated partners. ACBA Bank continues its support for the third consecutive year, while Cinema Star Armenia serves as the main sponsor. Other key partners include the Embassy of France in Armenia, the French Institute, the International Organisation of La Francophonie, the Aznavour Foundation, the French University in Armenia, Karas Wines, and the Maison Marom Group of Companies.