A collection of rare Armenian books and manuscripts from the historic Librairie Orientale Hrant Samuelian in Paris has been acquired at auction and donated to Armenia’s Keron Development Foundation by Wilco capital management company.
Founded in 1930 by journalist and orientalist Hrant Samuelian in Paris’ Latin Quarter, the bookstore served for decades as a cultural hub for the Armenian community. After closing in 2016, the bookstore’s heirs decided to auction its valuable collection in June 2025, raising concerns over the fate of its culturally significant holdings.
At the June 11 auction in Paris, Wilco successfully purchased a selection of 13 printed books dating from the 17th to 19th centuries, along with five rare manuscripts. Among the acquired works are editions of Gregory of Narek’s Book of Lamentations, an 18th-century Bible printed in Venice, liturgical books (Mashtots), as well as hekimarans—manuscripts of traditional Armenian medicine.
Wilco has donated the collection to the Keron Development Foundation, which is involved in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
“These rare books and manuscripts are carriers of historical memory and tradition. Their acquisition and return to the Armenian cultural space is an investment in preserving that heritage for future generations,” said Wilco CEO Irina Belisheva.
The manuscripts include liturgical texts that reflect the evolution of church rites, as well as unique medical compilations that offer insight into medieval Armenian folk medicine and everyday life—fields of growing international academic interest.
Keron Foundation Executive Director Vanane Araktsyan welcomed the donation, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to safeguarding the collection and making it accessible to future generations.
