Karine Armen signing her poetry book A Mosaic of Words in Cuenca, Spain, on March 9, 2025.
This was published in The Armenian Mirror-Spectator on April 3, 2025
https://mirrorspectator.com/2025/04/03/writer-photographer-karine-armen-presents-book-in-spain/
Cuenca, Spain - On Sunday, March 9, Karine Armen gave a book presentation in Cuenca, Spain. The Garcia and Chico Foundation organized the event, which was hosted by writer and activist Luz Gonzalez Rubio. Following the reading, a wine and cheese reception was held.
Karine Armen talked in Spanish about her photography, traveling alone around the world, and writing journalistic articles and poetry. She read some of her poems in English, and an English professor translated each poem on the spot. The Spanish audience asked questions about Armenian culture, traveling, and cultural identity.
Karine met Luz Gonzalez Rubio, who published several books about women’s rights in Los Angeles 23 years ago. They kept in touch and met in Madrid several times. In August of 2007, they attended the Women In Black conference in Valencia, Spain. Karine wrote an article about attending the peace conference, which was published in The Armenian Reporter.
In February 2025, Karine Armen published her collection of English poems, A Mosaic of Words. Karine holds a master's degree in education, a bachelor's degree in social work, and a degree in photography. She was an elementary school teacher for 32 years.
The primary purpose of Karine’s trip was to pass her books to the Armenian communities of Spain. In 2010, Karine published a book called Inner Heaven to keep her mother’s memory alive. Berjik Kurkjian wrote self-help articles in Farsi, and they were published in Fogholadeh Magazine in Los Angeles. Berjik died at the age of 57 from spinal cancer in 1990. Karine said, “One of my Peruvian coworkers asked me to translate it into Spanish so she could send it to Peru. That comment planted the seed for publishing the book in Spanish. She used Google Translate, and her Chilean friend, Ruby Jackson, edited the Spanish version called Paraiso Interior. Karine published the pocket-size Spanish version in February of 2024 and took some copies to Costa Rica. But she still wanted to connect with the Armenians in Spain.
“I am thankful to the caring people who connected me with active members of the Armenian communities in Spain,” Karine said. She met Aghavni Grigoryan, a musician and writer from Madrid. Aghavni introduced her to several Armenians in other parts of Spain.
Karine visited the Armenian Sunday school in Valencia and passed her books to the principal and the teachers. She also met with the teacher of the Hayq Armenian Dance School in Barcelona.
“My mission was accomplished. I had a book presentation and met with active Armenians in Spain.” Karine said. “Traveling with a purpose is energizing for me,” she added.
Karine Armen talked in Spanish about her photography, traveling alone around the world, and writing journalistic articles and poetry. She read some of her poems in English, and an English professor translated each poem on the spot. The Spanish audience asked questions about Armenian culture, traveling, and cultural identity.
Karine met Luz Gonzalez Rubio, who published several books about women’s rights in Los Angeles 23 years ago. They kept in touch and met in Madrid several times. In August of 2007, they attended the Women In Black conference in Valencia, Spain. Karine wrote an article about attending the peace conference, which was published in The Armenian Reporter.
In February 2025, Karine Armen published her collection of English poems, A Mosaic of Words. Karine holds a master's degree in education, a bachelor's degree in social work, and a degree in photography. She was an elementary school teacher for 32 years.
The primary purpose of Karine’s trip was to pass her books to the Armenian communities of Spain. In 2010, Karine published a book called Inner Heaven to keep her mother’s memory alive. Berjik Kurkjian wrote self-help articles in Farsi, and they were published in Fogholadeh Magazine in Los Angeles. Berjik died at the age of 57 from spinal cancer in 1990. Karine said, “One of my Peruvian coworkers asked me to translate it into Spanish so she could send it to Peru. That comment planted the seed for publishing the book in Spanish. She used Google Translate, and her Chilean friend, Ruby Jackson, edited the Spanish version called Paraiso Interior. Karine published the pocket-size Spanish version in February of 2024 and took some copies to Costa Rica. But she still wanted to connect with the Armenians in Spain.
“I am thankful to the caring people who connected me with active members of the Armenian communities in Spain,” Karine said. She met Aghavni Grigoryan, a musician and writer from Madrid. Aghavni introduced her to several Armenians in other parts of Spain.
Karine visited the Armenian Sunday school in Valencia and passed her books to the principal and the teachers. She also met with the teacher of the Hayq Armenian Dance School in Barcelona.
“My mission was accomplished. I had a book presentation and met with active Armenians in Spain.” Karine said. “Traveling with a purpose is energizing for me,” she added.
