"...Let us gift books to one another and keep the reader within us awake..."

"Without books, human life is empty: the book is not only our friend, but also our permanent, eternal companion." — D. Bedny

On February 19, the literary world celebrates the birthday of the Poet of All Armenians, Hovhannes Tumanyan, which in recent years has also been marked in Armenia as Book Giving Day. The long-awaited and beloved holiday was celebrated with great splendor and enthusiasm on February 29 at the "Entanik" Youth Creative Center in Gyumri. The event titled "The Book is My Friend" brought together a book-loving and avid reading community—members of the Writers' Union of Gyumri, educators, teenagers, and youth. The beginning of the event was marked by a beautiful scene. A wonderful picture opened before the audience's eyes: picturesque landscapes of Lori and Nairian maidens weaving spring wreaths. Through a dance performance, the students of the dance club presented to the audience the wrestling scene from the poem "Anoush," filled with the youthful vigor of Saro and Mosi. The students' stage dance performance was enriched with folk songs and traditions. Many of us entered the magical world of books, getting acquainted and close to literature precisely through Tumanyan's fairy tales, children's poems, immortal quatrains, and epic poems. Throughout the entire event, the spirit of Tumanyan reigned: philosophical quatrains of the Poet of All Armenians were recited, excerpts from beloved poems were read, and engaging episodes from the life of the great native of Lori were presented. Students of the center's theater club staged the performance of the fairy tale "The Death of Kikos." The typical Tumanyan characters embodied by the children, along with their stage performance, conveyed a high and joyful mood to the audience. The book collection drive announced early in the morning continued during the event as well. The audience also participated in the organized book drive, making their own contribution to replenishing the center's library fund. The center's director, Artur Minasyan, congratulated everyone on this wonderful holiday. He urged those present to recognize and appreciate the value of books, to enrich their knowledge through reading, to make new discoveries in various fields, and to contribute to the development of the country. He then presented illustrated children's books to the event participants and the young children present in the hall. In every corner of the center, the event spread its core message and meaning: love the book, enlighten your soul, and train your mind. ...Let us gift books to one another and keep the reader within us awake... Happy Birthday, Poet of All Armenians, our unreachable Ararat of modern poetry!