Armenia celebrates Book Giving Day
Book Giving Day is annually celebrated in Armenia on February 19, the birthday anniversary of renowned Armenian writer and poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. The holiday is now very popular in the country.
Armenia celebrates the Book Giving Day since 2008 at the initiative of Levon Ananyan, the late chairman of Writers Union of Armenia.
Armenian book printing originated in 1512, when the Urbatagirk (literally, the Book of Friday) was published, the Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran said in a Facebook post.
The book was printed in Venice by Hakob Meghapart. It has 124 pages and 4 images; it is printed in black and red colours. The book contains legendary stories, prayers in verse, and wishes. A copy of the Urbatagirk is exhibited in the Matenadaran.