Yerevan World Book Capital 2012 will unite experts and professional from the region and all over the world and will serve as an impetus to promote publishing and raise awareness that books can serve as a medium which encourages cultural, political, social and economic development.
The program of events anticipates the participation of national, regional and international institutions, as well as NGOs and relevant
professionals in the sphere of writing and publishing.
The International organizations and structures in the field of publishing and printing, as well as journalists, authors and librarians, will play a pivotal role in advancing issues of copyright, freedom to publish, access to books, information and innovations.
It should be realized that the success of Yerevan World Book Capital 2012 rests on cooperation and collaboration with all the stakeholders in the book supply chain. Comprehending this reality, the organizing committee has already been actively consulting with relevant players and professionals. The diversity of the program of anticipated events will have a lasting impact on the publishing and printing industry by bringing professionals together where they can share experiences and learn about new innovations. The events that are directed for children and young people will foster the love of reading; libraries and librarians in the country will directly benefit from the program by learning about new methods and creating partnerships; bookstores and booksellers will be able to expand their stocks by learning about new literary publications of global significance and will be able to develop partnerships.
National associations play a significant role in Yerevan World Book Capital 2012: Writers Union of Armenia, National Association of Publishers of Armenia, Armenian Association for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (AOKS), “Hayheghinak” Protection of Copyright NGO, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Journalists Union of Armenia, “Nor-Dar” Literary Union, “Girq” Foundation, the National Library of Armenia, Translators Union of Armenia.
The remarkable projects, promoting and fostering books and reading will center their focus and energy on children and young people, since books are a treasured wealth and they instill knowledge. The majority of programs will teach children not only about reading but will help them become potential writers, publishers, journalists and librarians of the future.
While having a very rich cultural and literary heritage, Armenia and Armenians were subject to persecution and restriction on their freedom to write and publish works of important significance even in their recent history.
The series of programs and events within the framework of Yerevan World Book Capital 2012 will help foster the concept of freedom of thought, speech and publishing; it will celebrate the early translators who made foreign literature accessible to the masses and underscore the eternity of the word.
Although nowadays human rights are still violated all over the world, developing nations have a critical stake in the pursuit of freedom and the protection of human rights. The preamble of the Florence Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials (1950) states that the free exchange of ideas and knowledge and, in general, the widest possible dissemination of the diverse forms of self-expression used by civilizations are vitally important both for intellectual progress and international understanding, and consequently for the maintenance of world peace.
Yerevan World Book Capital City 2012 will focus on these fundamental rights by including a broad spectrum of stakeholders, legislators, governmental agencies, publishers, authors and the public. It is in this spirit and for this reason that Yerevan Book Capital City 2012 promises to be a catalyst for change in the region.
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