Elina Harutyunyan, winner of the 2023 Sharjah Rights Connection Award, has worked for the First Literary Agency in Armenia since 2021. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, she graduated in 2024 with a BA in English and Communications from the American University of Armenia, and is currently pursuing a Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy there. Her responsibilities include promoting Armenian literature, communicating with publishers abroad, and keeping up with publishing activities around the world.
Can you tell us a little about First Literary Agency and your job there?
First Literary Agency, together with Antares Publishing, are part of Antares Holding in Armenia. They are different companies, however, although intertwined with each other.
The publishing half of the company brings our author’s words to Armenian readers, while the First Literary Agency helps bring the Armenian language to the rest of the world. Our activities help the world to experience the taste, color, and thoughts of Armenia by publishing modern Armenian literature and spreading the ideas of our writers and scientists abroad. And we are also looking to translate the world’s best fiction and non-fiction into Armenian.
What opportunities and threats does the Armenian book industry face at the moment?
Thirty years ago, Armenia had over 3,000 libraries in schools, universities and communities. Today, the number of operating libraries does not exceed 30. In Armenia, the book has been loved and adored for centuries, which has led to it becoming a symbol and idol. It is not seen as a commodity, and on average each title sells no more than 250 copies. A book demands that it be like a beloved—that means rereading it, putting it under your pillow, touching and smelling it, so that the aromas of paper, thought, and consciousness are mixed.
It is this condition that leads to great opportunities. We are building a book market. We follow the path taken by the world’s most literate nations, taking stock of their achievements and avoiding the mistakes they made.
What in particular did the judges note when honoring you with the Sharjah Rights Connection award?
At the time the judges were kind enough to say that I was “persistent, patient, and flexible”, and “a true ambassador of her country’s literature”. When your situation and abilities are small, and you take steps worthy of the greatest, this is probably encouraging. And I think that’s what the judges looked at. We bring the mind of our creators to the readers of the world.
What impact has winning this award had on your career?
Maybe I should answer the question like this: “I have had a promotion in my job level or a salary increase.” But when your job is also your mission, that answer becomes irrelevant. I am at the peak of my career. I would say then that the impact of winning this award will be to help me to reach more readers, so that I can better convey the thought and culture of my people to the world.
