This year, Hamazkayin’s “Vahe Setian” Publishing House and Printing Press marks its 95th anniversary. Three years after the founding of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, in 1931, through the efforts of Nikol Aghbalian, the foundations of Hamazkayin’s publishing activity were established. Thus began an uninterrupted journey of 95 years.
With a lasting presence in the field of Western Armenian and Diaspora Armenian literature, Hamazkayin’s publishing house, through its thousands of volumes in children’s and youth literature, literary works, historical studies, cultural and artistic publications, as well as thousands of textbooks, has given character to Diaspora Armenian life and supported the vital mission of shaping generations with Armenian identity.
On this occasion, with deep feelings of gratitude, we remember the hundreds of employees who served this institution as directors, editors, administrators, accountants, secretaries, typesetters, artistic designers, bookstore and distribution managers, printers, bookbinders, and maintenance staff. They treated the Armenian book as their own beloved child and lived with enthusiasm and pride through the labor and birth of each volume. Many of them have now passed away, yet their work and dedication remain permanently imprinted in the institution.
On this occasion, the year 2026 has been declared the 95th Anniversary Year. The anniversary initiatives are not merely ceremonial events, but a clear effort to open new horizons of interest around the Armenian book, inspired by today’s priorities and challenges. We are confident that every member of Hamazkayin and every friend of the organization will support this program.
Below we present the draft program of the 95th anniversary initiatives:
A. Establishment of the Hamazkayin Publishing House Armenian Book Club, which will create a space for dialogue between writers and readers, with the goal of expanding the appreciation and dissemination of Armenian books.
B. Presentation of the book-album “Artsakh: An Unfinished War”, sponsored by Hamazkayin’s Central Executive Board, including the three volumes titled “Artsakh: Endangered Heritage.” The event will also feature an exhibition of contemporary artists from Artsakh.
C. Official 95th anniversary dinner, held under the high patronage and presence of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
D. Exhibition of Hamazkayin publications in Armenia.
E. On the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Translators, a pan-Armenian exhibition in Lebanon and a public celebration of the 95th anniversary will be held. During the same period, in cooperation with Hamazkayin’s regional committees, exhibitions of Hamazkayin publications may also be organized in other communities.
F. An evening of appreciation honoring organizations, institutions, and authors who have collaborated with Hamazkayin over the past 30 years.
G. Establishment of the Hamazkayin 95th Anniversary Book Series, through which, in cooperation with Hamazkayin’s worldwide network, ten volumes will be published. After the completion of these volumes, a presentation of the 95th anniversary harvest will take place.
H. Inter-school book reading competition, planned for students in Lebanon and, where possible, in other Armenian communities.
I. Preparation of a bibliographic catalogue of Hamazkayin publications, to be published on the occasion of Hamazkayin’s 100th anniversary. This work has been undertaken by Karo Hovhannessian.
J. Commemorative event honoring Yervant Monofarian, the institution’s long-serving former director (1965–1998).
During the year, additional publishing projects and exhibitions are also planned.
The details and schedules of each program will be shared with the public in due course. We are confident that through collective effort we will succeed in creating a vibrant atmosphere around the Armenian book and scholarship, in order to preserve, spread, and strengthen our spiritual and intellectual values.
Thus, 95 years of service to the Mesropian alphabet, the Armenian language, Armenian literature, Armenian culture, and Armenian history.
And the journey continues.
Hamazkayin
“Vahe Setian” Publishing House