Armenian-Iranians, also known as Persian Armenians, are Iranians of Armenian ethnicity who may speak Armenian as their first language. Estimates of their number in Iran range from 70,000 to 500,000. They have a long and rich history of cultural and religious diversity in Iran, dating back to the ancient times when Armenia was part of the Persian Empire. Armenian-Iranians have also contributed to the social and cultural life of Iran in various fields, such as sports, music, and politics. This article will highlight some of the most celebrated Armenian-Iranians who have left their mark on Iran and beyond.
Sports
Armenian-Iranians have been active and successful in various sports, especially football (soccer). One of the most famous Armenian-Iranian footballers is Andranik Eskandarian, who played for the Iranian national team in the 1978 FIFA World Cup and won the 1976 AFC Asian Cup. He moved to the United States in 1984 and played for the New York Cosmos, where he became a teammate of the legendary Pelé. He later coached several teams in the US and Iran, and his son, Alecko Eskandarian, also became a professional footballer who played for the US national team.
Another prominent Armenian-Iranian footballer is Edmund Bezik, who was the captain of the Iranian national team in the 1964 AFC Asian Cup, where Iran won its first continental title. He also played for several clubs in Iran and Germany, and later became a coach and a referee. He is considered one of the best Iranian footballers of all time.
Andranik Teymourian is another Armenian-Iranian footballer who played for the Iranian national team in the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. He also played for several clubs in Iran, England, Turkey, and Qatar. He is known for his versatility, stamina, and free kick skills. He is the first Christian to captain the Iranian national team.
Music
Armenian-Iranians have also excelled in music, especially classical music. One of the most renowned Armenian-Iranian composers is Loris Tjeknavorian, who was born in Borujerd, Iran, in 1937. He studied music in Tehran, Vienna, and London, and composed over 75 works, including symphonies, operas, ballets, and film scores. He has conducted many orchestras around the world, and has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He is also an advocate for human rights and environmental issues.
Another notable Armenian-Iranian composer is Varoujan, who was born in Tehran in 1944. He studied music in Tehran and Paris, and composed over 50 works, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and vocal music. He has also taught music at several universities in Iran and France, and has been a member of the jury of many international music competitions. He is regarded as one of the most influential Iranian composers of the 20th century.
Politics
Armenian-Iranians have also played a role in politics, both in Iran and abroad. One of the most prominent Armenian-Iranian political figures is Yeprem Khan, who was an Iranian revolutionary leader and a national hero. He was born in Karabakh, Azerbaijan, in 1868, and joined the Armenian revolutionary movement at a young age. He later moved to Iran and became one of the leaders of the Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1911, which aimed to establish a constitutional monarchy and a parliament in Iran. He fought against the Qajar dynasty and the foreign powers that intervened in Iran’s affairs. He was assassinated in 1912 by a Qajar loyalist.
Another influential Armenian-Iranian politician is Vartan Vartanian, who was a Soviet intelligence officer and a hero of World War II. He was born in Tehran in 1923, and joined the Soviet spy network at the age of 16. He was involved in several covert operations, including the prevention of the assassination of the Allied leaders (Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill) at the Tehran Conference in 1943. He later became a writer and a lecturer, and received many awards and decorations for his service. He died in Moscow in 2012.
The Armenian-Iranian community is a vibrant and diverse group of people, who have enriched the Iranian society with their culture, talents, and achievements. They have also maintained their Armenian identity and heritage, and have established strong ties with their homeland and the global Armenian diaspora. They are a living example of the friendship and cooperation between the Armenian and Iranian nations.
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