Books
Stormy Days: Memoirs of an Iranian-Armenian Businessman
London: Gomidas Institute, 2016,
584 pages, maps, photos, index
ISBN 978-1-909382-32-9, pb.
Price: UK£40.00 / US$40.00
To order please contact books@gomidas.org
Stormy Days are the memoirs of Levon Aharonian, a successful Iranian-Armenian businessman and philanthropist. Born in 1930, his life has straddled the most momentous periods in modern Iranian and Armenian history, including the rise and fall of Reza Shah, the overthrow of Prime Minister Mosaddeq (1953), the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979), and the independence of Armenia (1991). These developments are covered in the first person, as the author was a keen observer and watched them unfold around him.
Aharonian was also active in Armenian community affairs and was elected as a member – and chairman – of the diocesan council of Tehran (1980). His memoirs thus give us intimate insights into the challenges this community faced as it ran schools and cultural organizations, and came under pressure from different quarters. With the independence of Armenia, the author also played an important role in the establishment of political and trade relations between Armenia and Iran – to the benefit of both countries.
Aharonian has had a happy family life, built up a major transport company, and enjoys a wide circle of friends. He still leads an active life in Iran.
Stormy Days is an engaging work and an invaluable source for those interested in the social and political history of Iran and its Armenian community. The work was originally published in Persian (2008) and Armenian (2010). The English translation is abridged.
Map 10
1. My Ancestral Roots and Early Childhood 11
2. The Second World War Comes to Iran 33
3. The Struggle to Nationalize the Oil 51
4. Young Manhood 59
5. Starting at Sati 71
6. Doing Business with the Soviet Union 81
7. Before the Revolution 93
8. The Coming of the Revolution 113
9. Consequences of the Iranian Islamic Revolution 127
10. The Islamic Government and the Hostage Crisis 141
11. The Struggle over the Schools, 1980–81 155
12. The Iran-Iraq War and Civil Society 179
13. Social and Political Turmoil 195
14. The Struggle Over the Schools, 1981–82 206
15. The Struggle Over the Schools, 1982–83 219
16. The Struggle Over the Schools, 1983–84 234
17. Armenian Members of Parliament 242
18. The Structure and Functions of the Diocesan Council 249
19. Ecclesiastical Affairs 257
20. Life-Changing Events 264
21. Extortion by Obscure Government Agents 273
22. Imprisoned, Interrogated and Exonerated 285
23. The André and Almast Aharonian Kindergarten 293
24. Moscow and Armenia 297
25. The First Diaspora Business Conference in the Last Days of Soviet Armenia 309
26. Post Conference Developments 319
27. President Ter-Petrosyan Visits Iran 327
28. The ARF and Community Business in Tehran 340
29. The Armenian Business Forum 350
30. Diplomatic Overtures and Contretemps 366
31. An Unexpected Request 379
32. Dual Mission to Armenia 387
33. A Series of Historic Meetings 395
34. Reflections on Politics and Diplomacy 410
35. Business and Philanthropy in Armenia 415
36. The 1700th Anniversary of Armenian Christianity 426
37. Louys, Houys, and the Diocesan Assembly Elections 433
38. Sati’s Fiftieth Anniversary 451
39. Three Deaths in the Family 455
40. The Iran-Armenia Friendship Society 465
41. The Establishment of the "Hay Dbrotz” (Armenian School) Foundation 466
42. The Role of Iranian Armenian Organizations After the Islamic Revolution 474
Index of Personal and Place Names 497