IALA’s 2024 Emerging Writers Showcase

IALA's fourth annual Emerging Writers Showcase — a virtual reading to highlight the work of rising Armenian writers — took place on October 13, 2024, and was hosted by Shahé Mankerian, IALA’s Mentorship Program Director.

The event featured readings by the participants of the 2024 Mentorship Program, and the winners of IALA’s 2024 Young Armenian Poets Awards in honor of Tamar Asadourian. The showcase also featured past IALA mentees Nayiri Baboudjian Bouchakjian and Perla Kantarjian who represented much-needed voices from Lebanon.

IALA’s 2024 mentee cohort includes Elina Arbo, Lena Dakessian Halteh, Hasmik Djoulakian, Astghik Hairapetian, Garine Isassi, Shushanik Karapetyan, Aleen Khachatourian, Susanna Khachatryan, Norayr Manvelyan, Danielle Mikaelian, Amara Possian, Lori Yeghiayan Friedman, and Melineh Yemenidjian.

The IALA 2024 mentors are Tina Demirdjian, Ariel Djanikian, Arminé Iknadossian, Arthur Kayzakian, Dawn Anahid MacKeen, Jennifer Manoukian, Markar Melkonian, Jen Siraganian, Gina Srmabekian, Meline Toumani, Patricia Ward, and Aida Zilelian.

The winners of the 2024 Young Armenian Poets Awards are Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson, Lenna Karapetian, Hasmik Tumasyan, and honorable mention, Ani Kradjian. The 2024 YAPA judges are Gregory Djanikian, Arminé Iknadossian, and Raffi Joe Wartanian. Read their winning works on IALA's or h-pem websites: https://www.h-pem.com