“Legends Return”: Newmag Summerfest 2026 brings together books, sports and thousands of readers (photos)
06/30/2026
Newmag Summerfest 2026 was held this year under the theme “The Return of the Legends”, bringing together world bestsellers, new literary releases, sports stars, music and thousands of visitors in Yeraz Park for one of Armenia's largest literary and cultural celebrations.
The festival's main event was the long-awaited meeting between Armenian football legend, two-time Italian champion Henrikh Mkhitaryan and his readers. Thousands gathered to meet one of Armenia's greatest athletes, listen to his story and receive signed copies of his autobiography, "My Life: Always in the Center."
Newmag founder and CEO Artak Aleksanyan spoke with Mkhitaryan about the book, which the publishing house released earlier this year. Although the footballer could not attend the original presentation, he had promised Armenian readers that he would meet them in person.
Addressing young people, Mkhitaryan encouraged them never to stop believing in their dreams.
"My wish is that every young footballer first learns to dream. Dream, work hard, make sacrifices and never give up. Only then will you achieve your goals."
For the sixth consecutive year, the festival was co-organized by Yeraz Projects. Welcoming the guests, the company's Development Director Onik Arakelyan noted:
"Every year this festival becomes more recognizable and more beloved by readers. It is a great pleasure to welcome everyone to Yeraz Park once again."
The festival's general partner, ROQ Capital, has collaborated with Newmag on several publishing projects. Founder Aram Kayfajyan reflected on the partnership:
"Together we introduced Ray Dalio's book to Armenian readers, and this year we are proud to become not only the partner of Andre Agassi's autobiography "Open", but also the general partner of Summerfest. If our first joint project focused on finance, this book inspires readers to find the strength to pursue their own goals. I hope our cooperation will continue for many years."
The presentation of Andre Agassi's memoir also featured Armenia's number one tennis player Mikael Avetisyan, who conducted an open tennis master class together with coaches from the Tennis Federation of Armenia on a specially built mini court. ROQ Capital also created a dedicated photo zone for festival visitors.
For the fifth time, Evocabank served as the festival's main sponsor, continuing its long-standing support of reading, culture and educational initiatives.
Visitors who purchased books participated in a special raffle organized by the bank, while a basketball chill zone welcomed sports enthusiasts throughout the evening.
Evocabank's Head of Marketing and Public Relations Department Lucy Sarukhanyan emphasized that the partnership with Newmag extends far beyond Summerfest.
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"Our cooperation began years ago through publishing projects, including Kim Kardashian's biography, Astghik Sahakyan's “Project Management”, and “Team: Getting Things Done”. Later we launched the Evocabank Conference together, bringing internationally renowned speakers to Armenia. It has become one of our most successful joint initiatives."
One of the festival's major literary premieres was Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers", published in Armenian for the first time in a complete translation directly from the original French. The publication's main partner is VTB Bank Armenia.
The bank's Head of Public Relations Deaprtment Gayane Harutyunyan said the project immediately resonated with the entire team.
"I would especially like to thank translator Samvel Gasparyan for this enormous work. Dumas is one of the giants of world literature, and Armenian readers deserve to experience his masterpiece exactly as it was written."
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Newmag Summerfest also featured the presentation of Georgi Gospodinov's "Time Shelter", winner of the 2023 International Booker Prize. The book's main partner is Eurostan Uyut.
On the occasion of the Armenian edition, Nikolay Nikolov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Armenia, attended the presentation.
He noted that Time Shelter became the first Bulgarian novel to win the International Booker Prize and has become a symbol of international recognition for literature written in smaller languages.
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"As you read Time Shelter, I hope each of you asks yourself: what would happen if we could escape today's difficult reality and seek refuge in a clinic of the past? I wish Armenian readers an inspiring journey through this remarkable novel and hope they will continue discovering the works of Georgi Gospodinov and other outstanding contemporary Bulgarian authors."
The discussion was presented in a unique format by members of the Newmag Signature Club, who had read the novel in advance.
The same format was used for the presentation of Richard Osman's "The Man Who Died Twice", the second novel in the internationally bestselling Thursday Murder Club series. The book's main partner is Bookinist. Bookinist Director Khachik Vardanyan praised Newmag’s contribution to Armenian publishing landscape.
"Newmag's catalogue has become one of the strongest in the Armenian market. Many of its publications will remain milestones in Armenian publishing. The publishing house consistently identifies important gaps and fills them with high-quality books."
Football remained one of the festival's central themes with the presentation of Luciano Wernicke's "Why Is Soccer Played Eleven Against Eleven?"
The discussion became both a celebration of football history and a tribute to the late sports journalist and founder of Newmag's sports series, David Martirosyan. It was David who first proposed publishing the book in Armenian and had already begun translating it. Although he was unable to complete the project, Newmag fulfilled his vision by bringing the book to Armenian readers.
One of the festival's most significant international announcements came from the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, which, together with Newmag, officially launched the new Pulitzer Series, dedicated to publishing Pulitzer Prize-winning books in Armenian..jpg)
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Embassy representative Anastasia Kolivas emphasized that the initiative represents much more than translation.
"This project is about cultural dialogue, shared values and lasting human connections. The United States is proud to support this initiative. Our partnership with Newmag is not financial; it is based on our shared belief in the power of literature, the importance of access to ideas and the friendship between the American and Armenian peoples."
The festival's cultural program featured performances by the “Expromt” Dance Ensemble, including the specially created "Sword Dance" inspired by The Three Musketeers.
Students of the Albert Grigoryan Fencing School presented a live fencing demonstration, while the evening concluded with a concert by Eurovision performer PARG, who also premiered his new song, "Feel Alive."
Festival partners also prepared numerous activities for visitors. All books were available with a 40% discount.
Cinema Star Armenia offered discount vouchers, Yeraz Projects provided hospitality coupons for the Yeraz Lounge and Library cafés, while visitors purchasing three or more books received special offers from Dargett, whose pavilion introduced its new unfiltered craft beer, Cherry Ale.
In the Play Zone, Hayk Freestyle and Davit Manoyan entertained audiences with the "Magic of the Ball" football show.
The HENAR Foundation, within the framework of its "Protected Heart City of Yerevan" initiative, installed an automated external defibrillator in the park and organized open CPR training sessions, teaching visitors how to respond to cardiac arrest and provide first aid before emergency services arrive.
Once again, Newmag Summerfest proved that it is far more than a book festival. It is a celebration of literature, culture, sport and ideas, where legends return, readers gather, and new stories begin.
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Description
Newmag presents Alexandre Dumas's historical adventure novel, for the first time in a complete and revised translation from the original French. France, 17th century. The young Gascon d'Artagnan leaves for Paris, dreaming of joining the king's musketeers. Fate unites him with three brave and inseparable friends Athos, Porthos and Aramis, whose main principles of life are loyalty and honor. Together they go through political conspiracies, royal secrets, dangerous duels and love intrigues. They bravely resist the machinations of Cardinal Richelieu and the mysterious Milady de Winter. The motto "One for all, all for one" becomes a symbol not only of friendship, but also of loyalty and honesty.
Georgi Gospodinov
6800 ֏
Description
“Time Shelter” invites us into a world desperately seeking to return to the past before it is finally forgotten. The story begins: “At one point they tried to calculate when time began, and when the planet Earth was created. The Irish bishop Usher, in the mid-17th century, calculated not only the exact year, but also the date: October 22, 4004 B.C. It was a Saturday (naturally). According to some, Usher also noted the exact time, around 6 p.m..”
However, time for the narrator, in his own perception, begins at the moment when he meets Gaustin, the “time wanderer.” Gaustin has moved away from modern reality: he reads old newspapers, wears old clothes, and wanders the forgotten avenues of the 20th century. Gaustin opens the first “Clinic of the Past” in Zurich. People with Alzheimer's are offered a unique treatment here: each floor of the building meticulously recreates one of the past decades.
Gaustin's assistant is the book's mysterious, anonymous narrator, whose job is to collect fragments of the past - from 1960s furniture and 1940s shirt buttons to nostalgic scents and barely noticeable rays of afternoon light. The more convincing the reproduction of the era becomes, the more people come to the clinic. Even healthy people come to escape the chaos of everyday life. A sharp, moving and at the same time tragicomic story about the temporary refuge that we seek in the past when the present does not obey us.
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Why do they play football exactly 11 against 11? Who invented the penalty kick? When did the team play three games in one day? How did they make transfers with cement, meat or a few drams? Luciano Wernicke collected 100 surprising, unexpected and remarkable facts about football in one book. Here are legendary victories and incredible failures, forgotten rules, impossible records, strange faces and scandalous episodes. The book is not just a collection of facts, but a fun and absorbing journey through the history of the world's favorite game. Do you think you know everything about football? this book will pleasantly surprise you. If you are new to the game, this book is the best place to start.
Richard Osman
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It's next Thursday. Elizabeth receives a letter from her former colleague. He has a complicated and tangled past: diamond theft, connections to a brutal mafia and a real threat to his life. He has made a big mistake and now needs help. The bodies are increasing, Elizabeth involves Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the investigation. The group of elderly people embarks on a search for a ruthless killer. If they find the diamonds in the process, it will be a nice bonus. However, this time the opponent of the pensioners is ruthless and will not hesitate to end the lives of all four.
Welcome to the "Murder Club - every Thursday" Four unlikely friends. A new, gruesome murder.
7800 ֏
Description
Open is a wonderful memoir about professional tennis at the highest level. "Open" is a fascinating story of an extraordinary life. Andre Agassi's life was predetermined from the cradle. He was destined to become a tennis champion by the efforts of his temperamental and very demanding father. Agassi won 8 of the most significant tournaments and won wealth, fame and the highest awards by the age of 22. But as this insightful autobiography reveals, off the court he was often unhappy and confused, and was not satisfied with his great achievements on the court. He was offended by life. Agassi tells frankly about his early successes, his marriage to Brooke Shields, his growing interest in philanthropy. He describes the ups and downs of his brilliant career point by point.
Alessandro Alciato
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
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Description
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was born into football, yet his journey was forged as much by loss as by talent. His father, Hamlet Mkhitaryan—one of the most formidable strikers in Armenian football history—played in France’s Ligue 2 and shaped the family’s life around the game. When Hamlet died of brain cancer at just 33, Henrikh was only seven. The grief was profound; for a time, he could not even bring himself to touch a ball. But from that silence emerged a promise: to go where his father could not.
At fourteen, Mkhitaryan left home for Brazil to train with São Paulo, immersing himself in a new football culture, refining his technique, adopting a more creative style, and learning Portuguese along the way. What followed was a career defined by relentless progression and ambition: Pyunik, Metalurh, Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, and Arsenal—each step elevating his status on the European stage.
In 2019, he moved to Italy, spending three seasons with Roma before joining Inter Milan on July 2, 2022, under Simone Inzaghi. He quickly became a central figure in the Nerazzurri’s system, valued for his intelligence, discipline, and ability to influence decisive moments.
This book is more than the biography of an elite athlete. It is an intimate story of a son shaped by early bereavement, driven by devotion, and guided by a quiet, unwavering resolve. A portrait of determination, identity, and purpose—an inspiring account for anyone who believes in the power of work, sacrifice, and dreams that outlive loss.
