Meet ARI Literature Foundation at Leipzig Book Fair 2026
The ARI Literature Foundation is proud to announce its participation in the Leipzig Book Fair 2026. This year is also marked by a series of Armenian cultural events at Leipzig organized in the frames of Leipzig-Yerevan Sister Cities program.
ARI Literature Foundation’s stand entitled “Armenia – Land of Letters” will be located at Hall 4, C311. Our participation was made possible with the support of Die Europäische Stiftung der Rahn Dittrich Group für Bildung und Kultur, as well as in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, and Goethe-Institut in Armenia.
We will celebrate the richness of Armenian literary and cultural heritage and contemporary writing through a curated selection of books on Armenian history, culture, and identity, and Armenian classical and modern literature pieces translated into German, showcasing voices that build bridges between cultures.
This year, we are especially proud to be part of a broader literary focus that brings together writers, translators, publishers, and thinkers from across Europe for four days of inspiring dialogue and meaningful exchange. Below you can see the program of events that will be held on the fairgrounds.
Reception at the Armenia, Land of Letters stand
We warmly invite you to join us at our reception:
Friday, March 20
🕛12:00 PM
📍 Hall 4, C311
The reception will offer an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends, discover new publications, and explore potential collaborations in an atmosphere of openness and shared literary passion. Armenian special drinks and snack will be offered.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND OTHER EVENTS
Thursday, March 19
🕛11:00–12:00
📖Special Envoys – Translating Culture and Politics
📍Forum Globale Perspektiven | Language: German
Translators are more than language experts — they are cultural diplomats.
This dynamic panel explores how translation shapes international understanding and brings underrepresented voices to the world stage.
Moderator: Jurgen Jakob Becker (Germany)
Speakers: Susanna Yeghoyan, Wiebke Zollmann, Stephan Heymann, Mariam Gurzadyan
Friday, March 20
🕛15:30-16:00
🌍Memory, Migration & Belonging – Literary Identity
📍Café Europa | Language: German
What does it mean to belong? How do writers live and create between languages, countries, and memories? An inspiring literary dialogue between authors whose works navigate migration, identity, and cultural transformation.
Moderator: Tigran Petrosyan (Germany)
Speakers: Jean-Chat Tekgyozyan (Armenia–France), Tatev Chakhian (Armenia–Poland), Laura Cwiertnia (Germany)
Saturday, March 21
🕛12:00-13:00
🌐Rethinking Empires – Redefining Identities After the Socialist Era
📍Forum Globale Perspektiven | Language: English
How does the post-colonial condition shape the choice of language of writing, the politics of translation, and the power dynamics within storytelling itself? Do the ghosts of empires — past and present — still haunt literature and influence the writers’ biographies? The event brings together writers and researchers with diverse backgrounds whose work engages with themes of cultural domination, collective trauma and belonging.
Moderator: Yana Genova (Bulgaria)
Speakers: Lusine Kharatyan, Armen Ohanyan, Marie Iljasenko (Czechia)
Justine Toms (Bulgaria)
Saturday, March 21
🕛16:30-17:30
🤝German-Armenian Ties – History, Culture, Politics and Literature
📍Café Europa | Language: German
A deep dive into centuries of shared history, intellectual exchange, and literary dialogue between Armenia and Germany. From early 20th-century documentation to contemporary translation and cultural collaboration — discover the stories that connect two cultures.
Main Speaker: Tigran Petrosyan (Germany)
Commentators: Elke Hartmann, Ani Menua and representatives from Goethe Institute and Stadt Leipzig
Sunday, March 22
🕛15:00–16:00
🎨Illustrating the Important – Books for Children
📍Forum Übersetzen / Salon International | Language: English
How do we tell “tough stories” to children with care and hope?
Writers and illustrators explore how art can gently address loss, displacement, fear, and resilience — creating meaningful stories for young readers.
Moderator: Barbara Lehnerer (Germany)
Speakers: Armen Ohanyan, Harut Tumaghyan, Lilit Altunyan
