newmag / summerfest-2024 Recap (video, photos)

This year, Newmag introduced a format change, renaming the event as the Book and Art Festival.

Readers eagerly immersed themselves in two full days of literary, cultural, and book-filled activities that extended into the late hours. Our colleagues stood by us throughout these significant days.

The co-organizer of the Festival

Yeraz Projects

The General Sponsor of the Festival

Evocabank

Festival Sponsors

• Ijevan Wine Brandy Factory
• Nairi Insurance
• AGBU Armenia
• Mobile Centre Armenia
• Indigo Branding Agency
• Printing.am

In his opening speech, Artak Aleksanyan, the head of newmag, extended his heartfelt gratitude to the publishing team for their tireless efforts before and during the festival, ensuring its flawless execution.

"I am grateful to the 'Yeraz' project, a steadfast partner throughout our journey. We started with the summer festival and expanded to include a children's festival, both of which have grown significantly. 'Yeraz' is woven through our activities like a red thread, not just as colleagues but as friends and family. I am also thankful to our principal partner, Evocabank, a constant and invaluable sponsor of our summer festival.

Our appreciation also goes to our partners, such as the Ijevan wine-brandy factory, with whom we have established a promising new acquaintance. Printing.am has been exceptionally honorable, punctual, precise, and crucial, and has met all deadlines. I extend my gratitude to our other partners as well - Nairi Insurance, AGBU, Mobile Centre, and Antenor Printing House - for printing our books."

The Publishing House presented four books at the festival, two of which featured authors who traveled from Georgia and the USA specifically for this event. According to Artak Aleksanyan, these two days were truly joyous, intellectual, and fascinating: "Life is full of challenges and heavy news. Perhaps these two summer days offered us a chance to unwind, engage with intelligent minds, read insightful books, and enjoy great music."

Four various locations hosted book lovers. The festival included poetry readings, performances, a stand-up show, concert programs, and notably, an exclusive football meeting with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the champion of Italy.

Gnel Nalbandyan, editor at the Publishing House, highlighted how over these two days diverse forms of art facilitated meaningful exchanges among attendees.

"Newmag isn't just hosting a book festival; it's now a book and art festival. Often, literature is considered separate from the arts, a significant branch of creativity. We emphasize 'literature and arts,' aiming to bridge that divide and make art accessible and understandable through books. Our goal is not only to promote art now but to preserve it for future generations."

During the festival, newmag concluded its awards ceremony for Artsakh authors, a collaboration announced during the Winter Festival with the "Tovmasyan" charity foundation. The foundation supported authors by assisting with printing, editing, and proofreading their works.

Artak Tovmasyan, chairman of the board of trustees at the foundation, expressed the goal of creating platforms for Artsakh writers, ensuring they maintain connections to their cultural roots.

"It's widely acknowledged that literature plays a pivotal role in preserving cultural heritage. This event underscores our achievements, and we aim for the 'Tovmasyan' Foundation to continue nurturing literary development. We steadfastly support talented authors to safeguard our cultural identity and collective memory."

The competition's winner, Hermine Avagyan, submitted her entry on the final day of the competition.

"I hesitated to participate, as my works explore themes of war. However, a friend encouraged me, saying my stories transcend conflict, focusing instead on love for life, people, and the future. It's this love that readers will discover. While I would have loved to receive this award in my homeland, Artsakh, I don't feel disconnected. This is our homeland, belonging to all Armenians. My fellow townspeople taught me the importance of honesty; I am grateful for that."

This year, the Publishing House decided to redirect the newmag Reader's Prize-2024 from the best review of the year to the city library of Alaverdi, which suffered damage from spring floods. Additionally, an exclusive literary initiative was announced on the festival's second day: Freedom Broker Armenia pledged to donate 1000 books to libraries in Lori.

With the conclusion of newmag / summerfest - 2024, we eagerly await our upcoming festivals with renewed enthusiasm and fresh literary perspectives.