A voice for Albanians in America, ‘The Noli Show’ features a charismatic host

by Mara Dresner – “Rocky Hill LIFE”
Contributing Writer/

When Nazim “Noli” Salihu was growing up, he had a dream of being on television. “I was playing as a young kid. I’d play with a camera. I’d be playing with a microphone. I’d be playing like I was a TV host,” he recalled. Salihu was born in Kosovo. He spent time in a refugee camp in Macedonia before coming to the United States and took the first steps toward achieving his long-time dream during the COVID-19 pandemic when he began podcasting on Facebook and YouTube.

“My idea was to present my culture and tradition and to highlight successful people,” he said. With encouragement from clients of his Noli Hair Salon, he decided to contact Rocky Hill Community Television to get some information about transitioning to a television show. When he called the main number he reached volunteer Michael O’Toole. “It’s an interesting story. Michael O’Toole said, ‘I never answer this phone. I accidentally answered this phone,’” Salihu said. “I told him I’d like to come see the studio. He said ‘come right now,’ so I went right away. I could feel something going through my body. This was something I could see myself doing.”

While Salihu was nervous about whether O’Toole would want to do the show, he wasn’t in suspense for long. “He told me right away, do it,” the host said. “The Noli Show” was born. They typically record one show a week, sometimes two. Guests have included writers, actors, entrepreneurs, heritage experts, singers, dancers and other notables. “I pick a date and talk to Michael,” Salihu said. O’Toole then gets to work on creating a flyer for each show, including researching each guest. “I’m so impressed with [Michael’s] intelligence. Guests will say, ‘Noli did such a great text for us.’ It’s Michael who’s impressing them. I say ‘Michael O’Toole did this.’ I’m very thankful to him and everybody who’s on the team here,” Salihu said.

Except for two, all of the shows have been record in the Albanian language. Each runs about 35 to 40 minutes. “We’d love if we could find someone to help us with translation [to English],” Salihu said. “We haven’t found a source that is affordable,” O’Toole said. Salihu’s interview topics range from the serious to the more lighthearted. He has interviewed Fitim B. Krasniqi about the Liberation War in Kosovo; the Balla Brothers, who performed on “America’s Got Talent” and Paulin Mernacaj, with whom he discussed Albanian heritage and patriotism.

About two years ago Salihu became an advisor for culture and art for the Vatra the Pan-Albanian Federation of America, which has about 1,600 members. The Vatra, which means hearth, is an association of Albanian-Americans that was created in 1912.
“I was driving to New York and the president to the Vatra, Elmi Berisha, called me on my phone. I had met him before, one time, two times. He said ‘do you want you to come upstate to my office?’ I have a cousin back home whose name is Elmi Berisha,” said Salihu, who was at first confused about with whom he was speaking.

“He said ‘why are you being so goofy?’” Once they straightened out which Elmi Berisha was calling, Salihu went to the Vatra office, where he was appointed to the position of culture and art advisor. “He said from today to tomorrow, you will be a different person, a more well-known person,” Salihu said. “A reporter came and said congratulations. After two minutes they sent pictures all over the world. I cannot handle, I started crying.” He said there are approximately 600,000 Albanians in the United States including a quarter million between New York and Boston. Salihu’s guests frequently come to the Rocky Hill studio from New York and he often goes into the city for various Vatra responsibilities.

Sokol Paja, editor-in-chief of the Dielli newspaper, the official organ of the Vatra Federation, praised Salihu and “The Noli Show” for their “high professionalism, dedication and commitment to promoting and supporting the activities of the Albanian community in America. His work is excellent. He is an asset to our community and the Vatra Federation. “Noli has promoted and broadcasted the events of the Albanian community in America. He has directly influenced the promotion of national art and culture and Albanian talents in America,” Paja added. “Noli has been a bridge between Albanian artists in America, Kosovo and Albania. Noli has also created a voice for the Albanian community in America.”

Salihu’s reach now goes far beyond Rocky Hill. After each show is recorded it’s uploaded to TVALB and NIMI TV. “Last month we had 1 million views through TVALB,” he said. His work with the Vatra Federation has brought him greater visibility and it’s also put Rocky Hill on the map. “There have been a number of guests from New York City,” O’Toole said. “They’re driving two hours to do a 35-minute show and then two hours back.” Despite his on-camera success, Salihu continues to work at his eponymous salon. “The salon is going great,” he said. “The show is more in the evening. During the day I cut hair.”

Salihu and O’Toole are highly supportive of one another. “Michael prepares everything. I just need to start the show on time. Everything is prepared. It goes so easy. I’ve never had a problem. We do good things together. I’m happy,” Salihu said.
“Noli is very involved with the community. He volunteers his services for seniors. He doesn’t do it for recognition. He does it because he wants to do it,” O’Toole noted. Salihu also offered free haircuts to veterans for about a decade. O’Toole has learned a lot about the Albanian community by working on the show. “They’re all immigrants. They have an appreciation for being American. They still maintain their Albanian roots and culture but they’re very much focused on being American,” he said. “They love America and being American. That’s powerful. And we’ve exposed Rocky Hill Community TV to everything from politics to arts,” he said. “Although I still don’t know what they’re saying,” O’Toole added with a chuckle. For Salihu, it’s a long way from pretending to talk into a microphone as a young boy. “It’s a great opportunity for me to be here,” he said. “This is my dream come true.” RHL.