Simon Ayvazyan Information

Simon Haroutioun Ayvazyan, born in 1944 in Bandar-e Anzali, Iran, is an Iranian-Armenian university professor, classical and flamenco guitarist, photographer, and architect. Renowned for his multifaceted contributions to music, architecture, and photography, Ayvazyan is a prominent figure in Iran’s cultural and academic spheres.

Early Life and Childhood

Simon Ayvazyan was born in 1944 (1323 in the Persian calendar) in Bandar-e Anzali and later moved to Tehran. He began his musical journey at age 12, learning the mandolin, and by 14, he discovered the guitar. Self-taught in classical guitar using academic methods, he mastered the instrument over seven years.

Youth and Musical Career

At 21, Ayvazyan studied flamenco guitar under Juan Alba, learning five renowned Spanish toques. He continued his classical guitar training concurrently, taking private lessons from Alirio Diaz, a distinguished Venezuelan guitarist and assistant to Andrés Segovia. For a short period, he also benefited from the guidance of Julian Byzantin, a prominent student of Julian Bream. Between 1966 and 1969 (1345–1348 in the Persian calendar), Ayvazyan won four gold medals in guitar performance competitions at Iranian universities and higher education institutes, as well as a special jury award at a student congress in Madrid. From 1964 to 1975 (1343–1354), he performed over ten solo and duet guitar concerts. Between 1976 and 1978 (1355–1357), he studied under Jean During, a distinguished student of Narciso Yepes and the Paris Conservatory.

Education

After completing high school, Ayvazyan enrolled in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran, studying architecture. Upon graduation, he joined the university’s faculty. He later pursued further studies in France, earning a PhD in architecture and archaeology from the Sorbonne University in Paris in 1985. Returning to Iran, he resumed teaching architecture, photography, and music at the University of Tehran, eventually achieving the rank of full professor.

Professional Activities

Architecture

Simon Ayvazyan is one of Iran’s foremost architecture professors, teaching at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran, the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Islamic Azad University in Qazvin, and Khatam University in Tehran. His expertise extends to archaeology, with a focus on historical architectural monuments, particularly Armenian heritage in Iran.

Music

Ayvazyan has participated in numerous classical and flamenco guitar festivals and competitions, including the Fajr International Music Festival, the Youth Festival, Iran’s Classical and Flamenco Guitar Competitions, the National Flamenco Conference, and the Isfahan Guitarists Festival. He has delivered lectures at these events and received multiple honors. In 2005, he was recognized at the 21st Fajr International Music Festival. In an interview, Ayvazyan noted that flamenco music in Iran has progressed, with young musicians showing increased interest and professionalism. However, he emphasized the need for Iranian flamenco players to study in Spain, the birthplace of flamenco, to enrich their cultural understanding, as technique should serve culture. He also observed that cultural authorities in Iran are more supportive of classical and flamenco music due to their recognized authenticity, compared to pop music, which often prioritizes commercial gain over quality.

Photography

As a photographer, Ayvazyan has focused on documenting historical-architectural monuments and the daily life of Persian-Armenian communities. His photographic series from the 1970s and 1980s, capturing the old districts of New Julfa in Isfahan, hold significant archival value. Since 1979, he has exhibited his photography in Iran, France, Armenia, and other countries.

Awards and Honors

• First-Degree Artistic Plaque, awarded by the Evaluation Council for Artists, Writers, and Poets, May 23, 2021 (2 Khordad 1400)
• Recognition at the 21st Fajr International Music Festival, 2005 (1384)
• Four Gold Medals in Guitar Performance, Iranian university and higher education competitions, 1966–1969 (1345–1348)
• Special Jury Award, Student Congress in Madrid

Views

In an interview, Ayvazyan highlighted the progress of flamenco music in Iran, noting the growing interest among young musicians. He stressed that while technical proficiency is strong, cultural depth requires immersion in Spain’s flamenco tradition. He also remarked that Iranian cultural authorities are more lenient with classical and flamenco music due to their established authenticity, while pop music faces greater scrutiny to maintain quality.