FRANCOFEST. Newmag presented the beauty and richness of the French literature (video, photos)

The French Book and Content Festival was an exceptional event because a festival dedicated to the literature of our friendly country had never been held in Armenia, while worldwide French literature ranks second after Anglo-Saxon.

This was a festival during which the publishing house presented the beauty and richness of French literature, a world whose passport is a vivid imagination. Artak Aleksanyan, the CEO of Newmag, noted in his opening speech that French literature is a world where the word turns into a spiritual channel. A world that is the last destination for a creative individual's whimsical thoughts.

“The French literature has a long and glorious history and is full of literary giants who have left an indelible mark on the modern world. Marcel Proust was sure that “A book is the meeting of one soul with another”. In the pages of French literature, we meet the souls of the authors who put their emotions, thoughts, and dreams together on the written pages, inviting us into their complex and tricky worlds”.

Newmag organized its first book festival in the summer of 2021. Since then, it has become annual and twice a year, in summer and winter. This year, FRANCOFEST is added to the Summer and Winter festivals, which, according to Artak Aleksanyan, differs in its content. “Let's open our hearts to the stories, ideas, and emotions that wait for us in these books because it is through this connection that we communicate with literature and with each other. Let's open our minds and hearts to new ideas and new thinking by starting a literary journey through the world of French books”.

"Arevik" ensemble performed at the opening ceremony.

According to Gnel Nalbadyan, the editor-in-chief of the publishing house, FRANCOFEST can play a big role in the distribution of French books and content in Armenia. “Only through literature and art, we can overcome our difficult hardships. We all go through tribulations, but the price is our intelligence. French literature, French art, the admirers of which are here today, remind us about personal freedom”.

According to Gnel Nalbandian, this is about French freedom, the freedom of an individual, and the freedom of society are the most important points, the most important components of happiness in a modern world. “Happy people drink coffee and read” if they are free. This freedom, which originated in France, has been transferred to Artsakh today. Free world France: free world Artsakh. We are with our besieged brothers and sisters in spirit and mind, and we are confident that freedom will spread there too, and there will be freedom in our souls and hearts, thanks to French literature”.

David Tursz, Executive Director of “L'Institut français d'Arménie”, cultural attaché of the French Embassy to Armenia, was the honorary guest of FRANCOFEST. "The book is a very important phenomenon in France. I really want this festival held in Armenia to serve its purpose, to become the first link in a big chain. I thank Mr. Aleksanyan for initiating and organizing this festival, it is really important to make French modern literature known in Armenian translation".

The ceremonial opening of the festival was entrusted to the students of the French University in Armenia. According to Salwa Nacouzi, the rector of the UFAR, the festival is also a form of struggle. “We are thinking a lot about Artsakh and Armenia today. We have many students from Artsakh, and we reaffirm that culture is a matter of struggle. It is a great pleasure and honor for me to participate in this beautiful project. On behalf of the French university, thank you for valuing literature, art, and culture and doing it in French”.

Newmag organized the festival in collaboration with “Axel Mondrian” communication company and “Boghossian Foundation”, the park of which was the venue of the festival. 

FRANCOFEST became a reality not only thanks to the co-organizers and ideologues but also thanks to the sponsors: “Acba Bank” OJSC, Acba Leasing, OPRINT and PC Electronics, Ohanyan Brandy Company, Paul Armenia, Holani Wines, Renault Armenia, ABNews.

At the end of the festival, the publishing house awarded all partners with certificates and souvenirs.