By Alin K. Gregorian
Mirror-Spectator Staff
NEW YORK — On Tuesday, January 24, a special presentation honoring the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing was held at the Diocesan Center in New York City. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, presided.
The program opened with remarks by Arto Khrimian, who introduced the master of ceremonies Hagop Vartivarian, chair of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of New York and New Jersey.
Vartivarian gave an overview of the history of Armenian printing, which dates to 1512 when Hakob Meghapart printed the first Armenian book in Venice. Vartivarian went on to discuss how printing came to Istanbul in 1567, and later to Armenia, India and other parts of the diaspora.
The evening’s guest speaker was Zakaria Miltanoghlun, a columnist for Istanbul’s Agos newspaper. An architect by training, Miltanoghlun has spent years studying the history of the Armenian press and is completing a book on the subject.
