ARMENIAN IBOOKS INITIATIVE BRINGS LITERATURE TO THE LITTLE SCREEN
Lorin yev Naregeh Hayasdani Metch by Aline Bezdikian is one of the
latest additions to the Armenian iBooks collection
The dramatic growth in the capabilities of computers and communications
technology has not only radically revolutionized the process of access
and preservation of the literary resources, but also brought to a
fundamental transformation from the traditional approach of reaching
the information to a modern one. In the age of the High-technologies
this is a new way of introducing Armenian literary heritage, especially
the works of classical and contemporary artists, making them available
to the whole Diaspora.
Associate professors from Yerevan State University, Dr. Ruben Mirakyan
and Dr. Marat Yavrumyan, were concerned when, working closely with
youth on a daily basis, they observed directly the continual trend
towards diminishing literacy and decreased interest towards reading.
Concerned that Armenia, once one of the most literate countries in
the world, has recently lost its position and that reading has become
more an educational obligation rather than an intellectual pastime,
the professors decided to seek a remedy. Looking for the reasons and
issues behind the problem of decreased readership and seeing how
technology comes to occupy the lives of the youth, the professors
decided to combine the two. Thus, they established the Armenian iBook
Initiative in November of 2012.
The initial goal of the project was to contribute to the dissemination
of American classic literature in the Armenian language through the
creation of electronic books – available for various devices and
readers (running on iOS and Android platforms) in Armenia and abroad.
For the professors, electronic books offer a range of conveniences.
Because the content of an e-book is delivered electronically to
one’s device or computer – it provides the convenience of having
multiple books available at any given time, without the trouble of
transportation. Most of the advantages of electronic books, such
as paper saving, will continue to offer benefits as the technology
evolves. Electronic books, additionally, cost less to purchase,
are easy to store and retrieve, and allow for the integration of
multimedia materials such as videos, interactive 3D models, and
internet hyperlinks. The professors hope that these modern features,
being attractive to the youth, will contribute to an increase in
youth readership and the enrichment of their knowledge in Armenian
literature and culture.
Since November of 2012, the initiative has managed to offer more
than two dozen electronic books. The collection is being enriched
on a weekly basis. Through the Armenian iBooks Initiative, Armenian
electronic books are now available in 50 countries around the world
through Apple iTunes and Google Play, legible on smart phones, tablets,
and various e-book readers.
Armenian literature here is presented in a new, entertaining and
interactive way.
A series of books that are designed specially for children and
teenagers offers various volumes from Hovhannes Tumanyan’s fairy
tales to Khnko Aper’s fables and from translations of Charles Dickens’
A Christmas Carol to Robin Hood.
A series of the classics contains Hakop Paronean’s Honorable Beggars,
Vahan Teryan’s Dreams of Twilight, Yeghishe Charents’s Land of Nairi
and much more.
One of the primary goals of the initiative is to make the Armenian
literary heritage available to readers in the diaspora. Language,
the professors believe, is at the basis of national identity and is
especially in need of preservation in foreign counties, where it is
rarely used by children and youth.
Yet, another important component of the initiative is to present
Armenian culture, literature, and history to any interested citizen of
the world. The founders present different books on Armenian history,
culture, cuisine, and lifestyle in English for all readers.
The Armenian iBooks Initiative is a group of people aiming for
the digitalization of Armenian literature: editors, proofreaders,
illustrators, and curators in charge of finding the necessary
literature in archives and, together with the team, preparing the
necessary materials for the project.
The process of the digitalization and the formation of the final
product starts with the organization, selection, and digitization of
materials through various scanning and text recognition methods. The
digitized material is then edited, proofread, and tested on iOS and
Android devices. Designs and illustrations are added to selected
books after digitalization.
Recently, in collaboration with the Armenian iBooks Initiative,
contemporary children’s author and long-time Hamazkayin member, Aline
Bezdikian, has released a collection of her books in electronic form,
which are now legible on Apple devices.
Three of Bezdikian’s books can be downloaded for $3.99 each from
the Apple iTunes Store. Namagner Dikran Metsin, Lorin yev Naregeh
Hayasdani Metch, and Loriyin yev Naregin Amarnayin Jambareh are the
titles recently added to Apple’s iBooks.
The Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Association says it is proud of
this milestone. It is worth mentioning that Bezdikian’s 8th book,Lori
and Nareg’s Summer Camp, was partially sponsored by Hamazkayin’s Rita
Demirjjian Fund.
Bezdikian’s books were published in cooperation with Ruben Mirakyan,
associated professor of the Yerevan State University and founder of
the Armenian iBooks Initiative.
More than 40 books in Armenian are available today for Apple devices.
http://asbarez.com/114605/armenian-ibooks-initiative-brings-literature-to-the-little-screenn/