New Author and New Book: Christina Simonyan’s “The Secret of the Full Moon” Published under the Newmag & Friends Program (Photos)

The event was held in an original format - with the first readers sharing their impressions. Musician Ani Hajiyan was among the first to read the book. She finished it in a few hours, captivated by its atmosphere and emotional depth.

“This book opens an entire world - with the glow of the full moon, the fragrance of secrets, the whisper of forests. It’s not just about the heroes; it’s about rediscovering our own inner light. The author doesn’t simply tell a story - she paints with words. You see, hear, and feel at once: the aroma of thyme, the warmth of fresh bread, the sweetness of syrup. My favorite character, Isidora, connects us with our roots. The real and the magical blend into a single movement.”

Ani Hajiyan believes the main message of the novel is the journey of self-discovery, the path each of us walks to understand who we truly are.

Another reader, Alexander Hakobyan, a telecommunications specialist, called the book “a revelation.”

“While reading, I followed my emotions. From the first pages, I sensed this was the beginning of something significant, something born deep in the author’s soul. The book reminded me of a feeling many adults lose, the ability to be amazed. To collect the burden of life and still be able to marvel like a child - that’s genius. I felt it in every line.”

Psychologist Naira Kerobyan highlighted that the novel reflects the author’s inner world and life experience.

“The book is written in an elegant, captivating language. Its heroine searches for her lost father, everyone doubts she’ll find him, but she follows the voice of her heart. The novel explores family values, care, love, and, importantly, the need to respect personal boundaries. Studies show that strong family ties help people overcome psychological difficulties, that’s exactly what this book reminds us of. It teaches us to hear our soul amid life’s noise. My favorite line from it is: ‘The path appears when you start walking.’”

In her speech, Christina Simonyan shared how the idea for the novel was born:

“A few years ago, my daughter Hasmik drew a character - a girl who turned into a nymph under a full moon. That image stayed with me and became the seed of this story. The magic dust of imagination had to find its way to paper. I’ve always loved fairy tales - they are the language of the human soul, carrying timeless wisdom and lessons for our journey through life.”

She also recalled a symbolic moment from her student years:

“Once, I planned to buy Dale Carnegie’s book but ended up choosing Andersen’s ‘The Ugly Duckling.’ It might sound strange for an international relations student, but to me, that story is about human transformation. We all go through that phase, the painful stage before becoming who we are meant to be.”

Simonyan dedicated “The Secret of the Full Moon” to her mother, who instilled in her a love for reading and writing. She also revealed the symbolism behind the title:

“The moon represents the feminine principle. It influences the tides - and since the human body is mostly water, we are all under its spell, especially women. The sun, in turn, represents the masculine. My second book, already in progress, is about the sun and is dedicated to my father. ‘The Secret of the Full Moon’ is about confronting our own shadows and learning to accept ourselves as we are. Change begins with self-acceptance.”

Concluding the presentation, the author shared her message to readers:

“If we want to change something in our lives, we must first change within. The outer world is merely a reflection of our inner world.”