500th Anniversary of the First Armenian Printed Book

In 2012 Yerevan celebrates New Years’ eve triple. Happy mood will dominate in our city all year round as 2 very important events come to replenish the feasts of Christmas. In 2012 we celebrate the announcing of “Yerevan as World Book Capital” and the 500th anniversary of the first Armenian printed book. Yerevan was declared World Book Capital 2012 by UNESCO. Numerous arrangements are going to be organized in 2012 to celebrate this festive event, such as exhibitions, festivals devoted to poetry, literary evenings. Feasts and events in world book capital will start on April 23 of 2012, on international day of book and copyright.
Everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy an interesting and beautiful parade of Armenian letters in the Republic Square of Armenia. It should be also mentioned that Yerevan is the 12th World Book Capital. In previous year this title belonged to Buenos Aires and on April 23 the title of World Book Capital will be transferred from Buenos Aires to Yerevan. Special gallery devoted to antique Armenian literature and new exhibitions on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the first printed book will be opened in the newly repaired building of Matenadaran. First Armenian printed book, Urbatagirq, which has 124 paper pages and 24 title decoration patterns printed in black and red colors, is the oldest book in the National Library of Armenia. It was printed in Venice in 1512 by Hakob Meghapart. The events devoted to declaring Yerevan as world book capital 2012 and to the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing are intertwined. These 2 festive events unified the forum of translators and publishers in Yerevan, the opening ceremony of which took place in Matenadaran, Institute of Ancient Manuscripts after M. Mashtots where the members of the forum presented their congratulatory speech and mentioned that it was symbolic to hold the 5th forum of translators and publishers in Yerevan, in the World Book Capital.