Edmond and Nora Azadian - An extraordinary couple
Edmond Y Azadian
Nora and Edmond Azadian in front of the Vahan Tekeyan statue at Yerevan’s Vahan Tekeyan School . Armenian Mirror Spectator May 29, 2021
Edmond Azadian was born in Rayak, Lebanon in 1935, the son of immigrants from Adana. He was a journalist, editor, a writer and one of the most influential cultural and political activists of the Armenian world for many decades along with his wife, the multi-talented Nora Ipekian, by his side.
This blog tells the story of both Edmond and Nora Azadian and my unique relationship with them.
The Journalist
After working for the Armenian newspaper Zartonk in Lebanon and as editor-in-chief of Cairo’s Arev newspaper, Edmond came to Watertown, Massachusetts to work for the Baikar and Mirror Spectator newspapers in the 1960’s. He was a senior editorial columnist for more than 40 years. In 1973 Edmond and Nora moved to the Detroit, Michigan area where he served as secretary and administrator for philanthropist Alex Manoogian. He had a key role in the development of the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum of Armenian Artifacts on the campus of St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, Michigan. He also was instrumental in establishing the Armenian Studies Program at the University of Michigan. It took many years to talk Mr. Manoogian into giving the gift to U-M that established the Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History in 1981 with Ronald Suny as its first professor. Edmond was a “true example of public service and dedication to others as a 28 year member of the Board of Directors of the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School also on the campus of St. John Armenian Church, where he made a lasting impact on the life of every student that has been a part of the Manoogian School community. His work in education ensures his legacy will live on for many generations to come. Corey Northrop, Executive Director – The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University.
Life in Michigan
Edmond Y. Azadian - Armenian Weekly March 29, 2023
In 1973 Edmond gathered several local Armenians together who were familiar with presenting and performing classical Armenian music to plan a new type of radio programming. The radio program entitled “The Heritage of Armenian Culture” also known as HARC, had an entirely different mission and role. “As its founder and executive director, he saw the need for a different kind of program to serve not only the Armenian community but to introduce the wider public to Armenian culture.” Harry Kezelian Armenian Mirror Spectator. I was approached to be asked to join this group by my former piano teacher and mentor, Margaret Paulian, and met Mr. Azadian for the first time. At that time I had no idea of who he was or where he had come from.
As the planners met, I had the feeling that they all were accomplished in the Armenian language, both speaking and reading. I thought they were going to write the programs and perhaps be a part of the narrative. I soon found out that was not the case. Mr. Azadian was going to write the scripts in English. How would he have the time? He was brought to Michigan to work for Mr. Alex Manoogian. How would he have the time to write scripts? Well, he did but he needed help, I thought, in finding some of the information. HARC was to be recorded in English to reach an American audience who knew very little about Armenians. I suggested the creation of a vertical file archive, or mini library, with Edmond’s encouragement, filled with information about Armenian composers, performers, artists and other cultural figures. My files started with the many old copies my mother had of the Armenian Reporter newspaper. Eventually this library grew to seven 4-drawer cabinets and joined the many records from Armenia and the U.S., tapes from Armenia and live recordings of interviews with such individuals as sculptor Reuben Nakian, actors David Hedison, Mike Conners and Eddie Mekka “The Big Ragu”, composers and scholars such as David Marshall Lang who wrote about Armenia.
In 1976 I was elevated to the role of program host and co-producer. My children remember that I brought home records and tapes to listen to while I put a script together. I learned so much about Armenians from Mr. Azadian and I stayed with the program until 1991. Suzy Cazanjian took over the job at HARC and stayed with it until it ended with Edmond’s passing in 2023. As Suzy said “The caliber of artists we’ve had on the program and everything about it is very unique and special”. Harry Kezelian – Armenian Mirror Spectator.
“I have a bad habit. I don’t really keep the records of my writings. However, on the other hand, I have good friends who collect my essays and submit them to me so I can edit them and publish them as books.”
I began to research about interesting Armenians and present my findings to my fellow members in the Daughters of Vartan who had put me in charge of Education for our chapter. I started with stories of Armenian religious holidays and eventually worked on short articles about Armenian women around the world who were accomplishing a great deal in their lives. Two of my “sisters” in the DOV, Gloria Korkoian and Doris Krikorian, helped to set up displays about Armenia in libraries in the suburbs of Detroit. All this eventually led to my blog “Remarkable Armenians.com”. All this happened because of my years of working with Edmond Azadian, learning how to tell a story about someone they didn’t already know. I am so happy that I wrote to him and thanked him for the wonderful new road in my life because of his encouragement.
Edmond was a phenomenal writer. His books include “History on the Move”, “A Legacy of Armenian Treasures”, “Portraits and Profiles”, and Observations and Criticisms. In addition, he edited more than 21 books and published over 1500 articles, book reviews and essays in daily newspapers and literary magazines.
Awards
Over the years Edmond received many awards such as an Honorary Degree from Yerevan State University, A St. Mesrob and St. Sahag Medal from Catholicos Vazgen I, The Movses Khorenatzi and Serving Armenia Awards, The Hagop Meghavard medal from the Armenian National Library and the diamond studded Ararat Medal from the Tekeyan Cultural Association of Armenia.
Around the World
During the Soviet period Edmond helped the diaspora to get to know many cultural Armenian figures from the motherland. He served many years on the central board of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the United States and Canada and many decades with the Armenian Democratic Liberal party, or ADL. He traveled around the world in his connection with the Tekeyan Cultural Association and probably traveled to Armenia more often than anyone.
This quote from Professor Ronald Suny portrays what Edmond accomplished in his life: “I often referred to Edmond as Mr. Manoogian’s Minister of Culture. He was a unique figure in a unique position. He was an Armenian writer in the Armenian language in America. He was an activist, a political leader and he was boundlessly committed to Armenia. He traveled tirelessly to Armenia and helped that small country on its feet as it became an independent state.
A nation does not just appear by magic. Nations are made by people who desire to have and create a nation. A nation is made by its poets, its activists, its politicians, by its revolutionaries and statemen and women who sacrifice their lives and work for it. Edmond Yervant Azadian was such a nation-maker. Without such people there could not be an Armenia.” Ronald Suny: Remembering Edmond Y. Azadian
Nora Ipekian Azadian
Nora Azadian with her portrait of a poetess from Armenia (1968) - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator - May 10, 2021
Nora Azadian, born in Alexandria, Egypt was one of the most talented and experienced artists of the 20th Century. “Her parents and grandparents had all been part of the political and artistic elite of Egypt. Their homes often served as salons for literary and artistic gatherings, where writers, musicians, members of the clergy and artists would mingle. Therefore, Nora could not imagine a different lifestyle. That is why she continued that tradition herself, at her homes in Cairo, Boston and finally Detroit.’ (Armenian Mirror Spectator)
Nora developed into a multi-talented version of her family. She was a painter, teacher, actress, pianist and the most excellent voice of Vahan Tekeyan’s poetry. Tekeyan was a friend of her grandfather and visited Nora’s family frequently. Nora was trained by the poet himself. Her recitation of Tekeyan’s works made one wonder if they were written just for her performance. Even if your understanding of Armenian was minimal, you understood the topic, sheer beauty and strength of his works from her performance.
Early Life and Schooling
“Khorhurt khorin,” from Nora Azadian’s “My Armenia” series
Nora attended Armenian Elementary School and the rest of her education was in French. She studied art at the studio of painter, Ashod Zorian, in Egypt for 4 years. Later she received her Arts degree from the ABC Art School in Paris. Her piano teacher was her mother’s sister, Nevart Damadian, who was a concert pianist. Nora’s life and education developed at a perfect time when the majority of Egyptian artists were of Armenian extraction. She began to show her paintings in individual art shows and participated in group shows in Egypt, Lebanon, Armenia, Europe and the United States.
“Armenian-American sculptor Ruben Nakian, after viewing her art show in Boston, wrote in the guest book, ‘There is nothing static in Nora Azadian’s art, everything is moving in graceful patterns.’” (Armenian Mirror-Spectator)
The Teacher
Nora never promoted her art as vigorously as those of her students. She believed in the overall development of the artist must include classes in music, theater and opera. Her students won gold medals at international art competitions at UNESCO in Warsaw Poland, and Shankar, India. Nora also kept up her love of the theater as an actress and director of Armenian plays. Her son, Gerald Papasian, has followed some of her talents as a professional actor and director based in Yerevan and Paris.
Life in Michigan
Nora’s marriage to Edmond Azadian was a perfect match. Their lifestyle and philosophies were identical. They moved to the Detroit area of Michigan in 1973 when Edmond came to work for philanthropist Alex Manoogian. Nora served the Detroit Armenian community very well as president of the Tekeyan Cultural Association for 13 years. She was one of the founders of the Sponsor A Teacher project which provides aid to teachers and workers at four schools the TCA sponsors in Armenia. She was a member of the Fine Arts Committee of St. John’s Armenian Church for 30 years and brought the Armenian art world to life in Detroit with the help of Dr. and Mrs. Balian. Dr. Balian was a knowledgeable advocate for Art and Zabel Belian is an accomplished painter and sculptor with clay. The Fine Arts Committee held Art Show/Sales the same weekend as the yearly Church Bazaars to bring Art by Armenians to a larger group and it was very successful. Nora also taught Armenian history through art at the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School in Southfield, Michigan.
My recollection of Nora is quite unique as I would often spend time with her at home when I would stop by to leave material for a program for Edmond to check. We often had tea together as she would tell me about her life surrounded by beautiful paintings and exquisite furniture. Those were magical visits for me and she, unknowingly, taught me how to be a good hostess. She encouraged me to speak in Armenian to her and gently helped me. Those were magical times for me. Nora was the fairy-godmother in her home.
Her life was as diversified as her husband’s was. Nora passed away in 2021, two years before her husband and will always be remembered for her delightful personality and respect for her many achievements.
Their Legacy
As was mentioned earlier, Nora and Edmond’s marriage was a perfect match as their lifestyle and philosophy were the same. The
difference was how they accomplished their goals. Nora surrounded herself with like-minded people who were interested in Art and other forms of culture and open to learn more.
Richard Manoogian with Edmond and Nora Azadian
Edmond, whose mind rarely slept, had the ability to travel the world and fix problems, help Armenia become a free country, bring forth a new type of Armenian radio programming, help the local Armenian School transfer itself into what is the very best it can be and the formation of the Armenian Chair in Modern Armenian History at the University of Michigan. He accomplished all this and more with the backing and support of Mr. Alex Manoogian whom he served many years.
Edmond and Nora Azadian also changed the lives of many people they worked with, like myself, by their love of everything Armenian and the means of helping individuals become better human beings.