POETIC JUSTICE: HOLY CROSS JUNIOR PERFORMS FOR ARMENIAN CHURCH PONTIFF

College of the Holy Cross, MA
Nov 1 2007

Earlier this fall, at a ceremony in Boston, Ani Nalbandian ’09
delivered a dramatic poetry recital in both Armenian and English in
the presence of the head of the Armenian Church, during his visit to
the United States.

More than 300 people had gathered at a resplendent marble hall in
the International Place to greet His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and his entourage from
Armenia. Included in the formal program was Nalbandian’s performance
of "The Armenian Church," by Armenian poet Vahan Tekeyan. The poem
is about the fundamental importance of the Armenian Church to the
soul and identity of the Armenian people, says Nalbandian.

Leaders of the Armenian community in Boston asked Nalbandian to perform
after having seen her recite a poem with music earlier this year.

"The poem, which is in first person, makes reference to the sheltering
walls of the Armenian Church against storms and disruption –
essentially a metaphor for the effects of the Armenian Genocide.

Even beyond that, the poem talks about how, for the Armenian people,
the Armenian Church has been the protector of all aspects of our
identity, for our ancestors in the past, and for us today," she says.

By all accounts, Nalbandian, from Trumbull, Conn., is an exceptional
scholar and talented artist. She is majoring in history, is in the
premedical program and the College Honors Program.

When she was 16, Nalbandian wrote her first book, titled Polis: A
Way of Life. Earl Peace, dean of the Class of the 2009, remembers
when Nalbandian entered his office and asked if she could go to a
book signing her freshman year. When he asked whose book signing,
she replied, "Mine." The title Polis is a reference to the Greek
democratic city-state, relaying "the notion of the ideal existence,
the ideal society, free of the heavy social and political burdens,
inequalities, and injustices that ours is laden with," she says.

"I realize it was a bold work – a 16-year-old attempting to offer
advice to others well her senior, and her peers. But that is why I
wanted to do it," she explains. "It makes a statement, and despite my
age, I felt then – as a I still feel now – that I have experienced
things that have granted me insight, and the desire and strong
motivation to hold on to my idealistic virtues."

Earlier this year, she recorded and produced a CD with her father,
Rev. Untzag Nalbandian, pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy
Ascension in Trumbull, consisting of Armenian, as well as international
songs. She plays the piano, organ, srink (an Armenian wind instrument),
and accordion. She is fluent in Armenian; writes poems in Spanish
(some of which were published in the Holy Cross foreign language
journal, Fosforo); and is not afraid of sounding off on issues that
are of concern to her.

Most recently, Nalbandian had a letter published in the Worcester
Telegram & Gazette about the Armenian genocide. His Holiness Karekin
II visited the U.S. during a time when America has been asked to
acknowledge last century’s genocide of millions of Armenians by the
Ottoman Turks. Present day Turkey has tried to defeat the Armenian
resolution by denying responsibility for the atrocities.

Nalbandian has an unwavering commitment to her Armenian heritage.

"I have spent time reading the works of several important Armenian
leaders of the 19th and early 20th centuries," she says. "I have been
inspired by them, and heed their warning that if we don’t take action,
the Armenian identity – the language, the culture, the Orthodox Church,
the country, and hence the race – will cease to exist."

Having traveled to Armenia for the first time in 2006, Nalbandian
hopes to make many return trips, with the long-term aim of improving
the Armenian homeland and aiding the Armenian people.

At Holy Cross Nalbandian is co-chair of the Bishop Healy Multicultural
Society, science ambassador, tour guide; and member of the following
organizations: American Medical Student Association, COMPASS,
Eco-Action, Schola Cantorum, and an op-ed writer for the Crusader,
among others.

"Holy Cross has really influenced my thinking, broadened my self and
life-defining principles, and continues to contribute in guiding me
spiritually through my formative college years," she says.

She is also enthusiastic about her involvement in the many programs
available through the College that promote religious dialogue.

"Religion is an engraved part of my life," she says. "These programs
teach me how to be a better person, and especially how to help others,
which is an aspect of my life I am always looking to augment and
improve upon."

Pictured: Ani Nalbandian ’09 stands beside His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

/features/2007-2008/nalbandian