Stormy Days: Memoirs of an Iranian-Armenian Businessman

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.