A Special Signature Kickoff: Newmag Launches the Year with the First Signature Club Meeting (Photos)

The first meeting of the club took place on January 10. Newmag’s head, Artak Aleksanyan, explained the meaning behind the club’s name:

“Signature means special, exceptional, exclusive. Since this is a literary club, we chose the word Signature because it also refers to handwriting, a personal mark. The Signature Club represents two key ideas: independence and a gathering of unusual, unique people, those with their own style. Here, we will discuss books, attend lectures, and foster horizontal relationships, meaning, you are as important as anyone else.”

Members introduced themselves, sharing their professions, fields of work, and reasons for joining. Most expressed their excitement about reading and discussing fascinating books while connecting with like-minded individuals in a unique environment.

The attendees were also the first to get a preview of Newmag’s 2026 publishing lineup. Ani Hakobyan, head of literary programs, presented books spanning fiction, non-fiction, political science, economics, and memoirs, offering something for every interest.

One of the highlights was the announcement of the presentation of one of the year’s most anticipated books: the biography of football star Henrikh Mkhitaryan, set to debut on February 7 at the Newmag Winter Festival.

Nane Manukyan, Head of Corporate and Global Partnerships, shared details about the foreign authors and speakers invited to Armenia, with Signature Club members given the exclusive opportunity to meet them.

Going forward, most of Newmag’s events will be held in a closed format, specifically for club members. Gohar Manukyan, Head of Special Projects, presented upcoming literary and cultural events, including festivals, and shared how Newmag’s book, art, and culture initiatives grew from a single idea into a vibrant cultural tradition in Armenia.

The first lecture at the meeting was delivered by psychologist-consultant Armine Araratyan, who explained how to plan the year for better psychological balance and introduced the concept of procrastination.

As a club centered around books, members then voted on the book they would read and discuss together in February. Jonathan Franzen’s novel “Crossroads” was chosen by the majority.

The meeting concluded with senior and junior Signature Club members, Ruzanna Avalyan and Grigor Vardanyan, cutting the holiday cake, marking a sweet start to Newmag’s literary year.