Excitement Builds for Newmag’s Winter Fest 2025: A Celebration of Books and Art
02/14/2025
Newmag Publishing House unveiled the program for the much-anticipated Newmag Winter Fest 2025 on a live broadcast. The festival, set to take place on February 16, in Dvin, is co-organized by the Tovmasyan Charitable Foundation.
The event was featured on the “Good Morning” program, with key representatives from Newmag Publishing House. Nane Manukyan, Head of Corporate and Global Partnerships, Gohar Manukyan, Head of Strategic and Special Projects, Manu Iritsyan, Multimedia Content Producer, Irina Chaltikyan, Deputy Director of McCann Yerevan, and Valya Yeghiazaryan, Director of Marketing at Business Park, the festival’s main sponsor, all discussed the highlights of the upcoming festival.
Nane Manukyan presented the Artsakh Authors’ Competition, which was launched at last year’s Winter Fest in partnership with the Tovmasyan Foundation. The winner of the competition, Hermine Avagyan, will have her book “Farewell Eyes” presented at the festival. “Farewell Eyes” is a collection of stories about the exodus of Armenians from Artsakh. Another featured book, “The Last Red Lipstick” by journalist Tsovinar Barkhudaryan, is a poignant documentary showcasing the true stories of twelve different women.
“Hermine’s book is a work of fiction, Tsovinar’s book is a painful, sobering true story of twelve different women. The partner of both books is the ‘Amrots’ Foundation.”
Nane Manukyan added:
“We present not only books at the festival, but also exhibitions, poetic performances, concerts. It is of principle for us that the entrance to the festival and all events is free. Last year’s experience showed that about fifteen thousand people participated in the festival, bought books, this means that people want to participate in such events.”
One of the festival’s major sponsors, Samsung, will feature the new Galaxy S25 AI phone, which offers advanced features useful for book translation, editing, and even creating book covers. Irina Chaltikyan, Deputy Director of McCann Yerevan, said:
“These phones are not yet on sale. Smartphones are equipped with artificial intelligence. These books are very useful even for translating and editing books. You can also give commands by voice control, create images, create a book cover. That is why we joined this festival. Last time I was present at the festival, I was very impressed, this time I am happy that we are also the organizer. There will be a panel discussion on artificial intelligence and Armenian technocrats at the festival, in which our speaker, Narek Amirkhanyan, will also participate.”
Gohar Manukyan, Newmag’s Head of Strategic and Special Projects, highlighted several other notable presentations, including a new collection of poems by Avet Barseghyan.
“A collection of Avet Barseghyan’s poems has been published for the first time. After the presentation, famous stars will read the poet’s poems. In addition, there will also be a joint production of Newmag, Arevik Udumyan, and ‘Burmunk’ – the second issue of Dyute. This ‘Dyute’ is much more complete, dedicated to the entire skin of the body, from hands to feet, face, and other parts of the body. The specialists of the ‘Burmunk’ company will demonstrate their innovative device on site, which will examine the skin in just a few minutes, tell what type it is, what problems it has, and what care it requires.”
The festival will kick off with a performance by the State Symphonic Orchestra and will continue for twelve hours, offering an exciting program of concerts, exhibitions, and installations. One of the other books being launched on February 16 is “Metal of Courage” by Syune Sevada, a multi-layered novel that spans from the 90s to the present, exploring relationships across generations. Manu Iritsyan, responsible for Multimedia Content at Newmag Publishing House, said:
“The events in the book take place from the 90s to the present day, about people of different generations and their relationships. The book will interest readers of different ages.”
Festival-goers will also find discounts of up to 40% on Newmag’s entire book collection, making it an excellent opportunity to buy gifts or books. On display at the festival will be paintings by lawyer and artist Marine Manukyan, as well as an art installation from the National Library, Poetic Box, which honors Western Armenian poets.
Business Park, another key sponsor of the festival, is dedicated to supporting culture and literature, both global and Armenian. Valya Yeghiazaryan, Director of Marketing at Business Park, said:
“Syune Sevada's new book was an opportunity to make a small contribution to contemporary Armenian literature. Business Park will soon also have a library, where there will be interesting events and presentations. Business Park will also feature a pavilion with a photo zone and special gifts for festival attendees.”
The Newmag Winter Fest 2025 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of culture, literature, and art, and all are invited to join in the festivities.
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Syune Sevada
5800 ֏
Description
To stay in pain or to crawl out? To bring the past into the present, trying to find solutions, or to close it and move forward? In some situations, the answers to these questions are not clear, and it seems that the suffocating waves of memories are already receding, but suddenly it turns out that the persistent and cold shower of bitter days is always overhead, ready to numb or... sober up.
Where did the internal struggle begin and where will it end? The heroes of the novel "Metal of Courage" are looking for answers to these questions, who today have faced the difficult trials, decisions and weaknesses of the past and must understand what to do with the future.
This novel tries to remind us that everyone has their own metal of courage inside them, but how they will use it is their own choice.
Main partner: "Sparsis" company
Partner: "B-Plaza"
Tsovinar Barkhudaryan
5800 ֏
Description
In the year following the Armenian exodus from Artsakh, Tsovinar Barkhudaryan collected numerous testimonies: shocking, painful, terrifying, moving, and giving strength to live. In one book, Tsovinar summarized her and 12 women's truth, telling about people who bore their pain with indescribable dignity. The book is a collection of accurate, factual eyewitness testimonies and moving additions. The author tells her own story and that of her compatriots from Artsakh, describing the unbreakable will of the Artsakh people and the nightmarish path of difficult migration.
Hermine Avagyan
4800 ֏
Description
Human destinies distorted, children who grew up prematurely, forced to leave their homeland, longing - this is what war brings with it. The people who have gone through all this are very similar to each other: there are empty corners in their souls that nothing can fill, make complete. After the war, a heavy silence remains, through which people who have lost their dreams communicate with each other. They speak to each other with their eyes, because in the gaze of a friend, neighbor, son, husband, they find their memories, losses, and faith in peace every day.
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