ISTANBUL – Armenian Minister of the Diaspora Hranoush Hakobyan and many writers in Armenia, Turkey and other parts of the world sent author and journalist Robert Haddejian letters of congratulations on the occasion of his 90th birthday on January 26, while in Holy Trinity Church of Beyoglu, Istanbul, an intimate banquet attended by some 80 guests celebrated the life and works of this author in his presence. Haddejian (also written Haddeler or Haddedjian) is the longtime editor of the Istanbul Armenian-language daily newspaper Nor Marmara (originally called Marmara).
Born in Istanbul, Haddejian graduated from the Pangalti Armenian Mkhitarist High School in 1944, and then graduated from Istanbul University with a degree in philosophy and psychology. He began his association with Marmara by editing its literary and cultural section. He took over the full editorship of the newspaper in October 1967.
His editorials, commentary and translations enriched the paper greatly, while in 1976 he began to print the newspaper through an offset press, which was a technological advance at that time for Armenian periodicals in Turkey. He and his newspaper played and continues to play an important role in the community life of Istanbul Armenians, and is a rich resource for Armenians anywhere wishing to follow news about Turkish-Armenians, Turkey and Armenia.
Haddejian was the recipient of the Tekeyan Cultural Association’s first annual Vartkess and Rita Balian Press Award, established in 1986. In 2002, he received the Movses Khorenatsi Medal from Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. In later year he also was awarded the Armenian Ministry of Culture’s gold medal. In 2011, he received the Mesrob Mashtots Medal from Armenian President Serge Sargisian for his literary and cultural achievements. He has published dozens of books and is the author of numerous published and unpublished novels, short stories, plays, poems and translations in Armenian.
(Please see Edmond Y. Azadian’s editorial column this week, on page 14, which is dedicated to Haddejian.)
