Thanks in part to support from the American University of Armenia and AUA Library Director, Bella Avakian, Yerevan was recently
named World Book Capital 2012 by UNESCO. In her letter on behalf of AUA supporting Yerevan's bid, Bella notes that "2012...marks the 500th anniversary of first Armenian printed work by the first Armenian publisher, Hakob Meghapart."
According to UNESCO, the award is an "acknowledgement of the best programme dedicated to books and reading."
