Discover the rich tradition of Armenian printing at the National Library of Armenia

In 2012 Yerevan was declared World Book Capital by Unesco on the occasion of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the printing of the first book in Armenian. During these events, it was agreed to establish the Museum of Printing in the Armenian National Library which possesses the largest collection of Armenian printing. On September 25, 2017, the Museum of Printing, which consists of six exhibition halls, opened in the Armenian National Library. Among the items on display are the first Armenian printed book Urbatagirq The Friday Book (1512, Venice), the first Armenian printed Bible (1666, Amsterdam), the first Armenian printed map (1695, Amsterdam), the first printed Armenian periodical Azdarar (1794 – 1796, Madras).

Visitors can also discover the first woodcut Armenian alphabets in European publications, displays of antiquarian books, the history of Armenian printing, printing presses, clichés, etc. Computer displays of objects offer an interactive environment for informal education – a particular attraction for high school and university students.

The Museum of Printing is developing as a research center in the field of bookbinding.