Rafaela Prifti/

Tonin Mirakaj’s 63 year membership with Vatra may well have placed him at the top of members seniority as we look back at a path of service guided by his strong faith and a deep sense of spirituality. Born on July 5, 1934 in Iballe, Puke, he arrived in the US thanks to the auspices of Free Albania Committee and International Rescue Committee. On September 20, 1956 the Mirakaj family escaped Albania where as a young boy, Tonin had seen first hand his family members being persecuted for their anti-communist beliefs. Even outside of Albania’s borders and away from his hometown of Puke, in the north of the country, he withstood the Serbian operatives pressure to collaborate. In 1959, alongside his brother and sister, Tonin were sent to the notorious refugee camp of Gerov, Croatia. Under the cover of darkness of a midnight in August 1960 and aided by a family friend, they fled the camp on foot to get across the border to Slovenia and, after four days and nights, arrived to Italy. Tonin’s first escape from communist Albanian and the second time from what was then the Yugoslav Federation, to be on a transAtlantic flight to New York, was eventually picked up by the press at the time, as reported by Daily News, February 25, 1961.

While he was settling in the US, Tonin made the acquaintances and befriended some of the most highly regarded leaders and figures like Miko Kokolari, a true patriot and top Vatra official, Professor Nexhat Peshkëpia, editor of “Shqiptari i Lirë” (Free Albanian), Professor Rexhep Krasniqi, President of Free Albania Committee, Vasil Gërmenji, Albania’s representative at the Assembly of European Captive Nations and many more.

To those who know him, Tonin is a quiet and reasonable man, who doesn’t say a lot yet is friendly and easy to strike a conversation with. In his memoirs, he recalls details of meetings with Albanian personalities and patriots of the diaspora who like him felt the suffering of their countrymen under the communist regime in Albania and spoke up against it. Tonin was equally conscious about the imprisonments of Albanians in Kosova and the human rights violations perpetrated by the Serbian authorities. As a stand up citizen, he joined several community organizations. After 1960, he worked closely with the founder and director of the first Albanian Catholic church in the Bronx, Monsignor Dr. Zef Oroshi while being actively involved with the Albanian Catholic League and an editorial staff member of Albanian Catholic Life magazine (Jeta Katolike today). His dedication and commitment were qualities that singed out Tonin as one of the first chairman of the council of the Albanian Catholic Church “Lady of Good Council” later renamed and built anew as Lady of Shkodra, in Harstdale, New York.     

His long time friends and some contemporaries include his grace Bishop Fan Noli, Monsignor Dr. Zef Oroshi,  Dom Pjeter Popaj, Prof. Andrea Nargaj, Miko Kokalari, Anthony Athanas, Father Arthur Liolin, Barny Kirka, Dr. Selaudin Velaj, Nexhmije Zajmi, Prof. Gjeto Sinishta, Edward Licho, Prof. Nexhat Peshkepia, Prof. Arshi Pipa, Dr. Andrea Elia, Prof. Sami Repishti, Dr. Gjon Bucaj, Xhevat Kallajxhi, Anton Cefa and many more. Indeed, media reportings and Dielli records of influential Albanian organizations in the US provide a glimpse into Tonin Mirakaj’s serving the community alongside many prominent patriots. 

The publication dedicated to Father Pjeter Bogdani in New York was made possible thanks, in part, to the auspices of Tonin Mirakaj, former chair of the Church Council.  It included the presentations of the commemorative seminar in honor of 300^th anniversary of the passing of the 17^th century respectable personality. The event was held at Fordham University, NY on 7 October 1989 with support from the Lady of Good Council Church  (today Lady of Shkodra). The speakers included Father Danjel Gjeçaj O.F.M. from Italy, Prof. Dr. Martin Camaj from Germany, Prof. Arshi Pipa and two professors from Kosovo Dr. Ibrahim Rugova and Prof. Dr. Engjëll Sedaj. The host and moderator was Mirakaj, then-Chairman of the Church Council. 

On the same capacity, Tonin has been part of the efforts to organize a dance ensemble called Rozafati (Rozafat) starting in 1978 with the support of faith and church leaders at the Lady of Good Council in New York, and under the guidance of Mons. Dr. Zef Oroshi (1912-1989), Father Rrok Mirdita, Dom Pjetër Popaj. In the span of 40 some years, the group has become a staple on stages, auditorium and celebrations held all across the city. Tonin Mirakaj has shared some of the memories about the volunteer musicians and singers who were called to perform at gatherings and events before being part of the Rozafati group. In one instance in the year 1986, the show was more politically colored. At the NYC Harbor Festival, “Statue of Liberty Centennial” on July 4-6 1986, the group raised the Albanian flag without the star, an addition of the communist era to the national symbol. It meant a lot to Tonin Mirakaj and other asylees who fled Albania’s communist rule. The importance of an artistic troupe meant that Albanians were represented along with other nationalities at various cultural events held in their second home country. 

His dramatic escape from Albania resembled the path of many Albanian dissidents and politically persecuted. Crossing the border with the neighboring country was a very risky move considering that Yugoslavia was under a self-styled form of communism, “just a different color from Albania”. It meant that the escapees like Tonin were thrown in jail while waiting for their political asylum application to be considered or go through. “A mitigating factor for asylum seekers was that Yugoslavia was a signatory of the UN Human Rights chart,” Tonin says. The country’s acceptance of a number of political refugees was tied to receiving aid from the Geneva High Commission of Refugees. The State Security Agency UDB screened the Albanian refugees for possible recruitment and for developing potential assets in Albania in 1959. 

Tonin’s writing skills were discovered by Professor Peshkopia at “Shqiptari i Lirë” Free Albanian newspaper after submitting a short story for publication titled the Kernel. With encouragement by the editor, the publishing of that story was the start of a thirty year contribution with the newspaper till the day it closed in May 1961. Tonin found himself drawn to Vatra and contributed regularly at Dielli.

Vatra – On July 5, 2019 on his 85^th birthday, Tonin received warm birthday messages and wishes from Vatra. He was active with the Federation since 1961 which means that he has been part of it for some 70 percent of his life. Tonin credits Professor Peshkepia for his advice at their first meeting., where he laid out the benefits of joining a social organization rather than one of the political entities at the time that were plagued by division. Reading the By-Laws of Vatra that Prof. Peshkëpia handed to him, made it clear to the twenty seven year-old Tonin that his principles aligned with Vatra’s mission. And in the summer of 1961, five years after his escape from Albania, Tonin Mirakaj joined the Pan Albanian Federation of America Vatra. He started as a member of Chapter 29 of New York New Jersey, which convened twice a year at the cultural hall of the Orthodox Church located in midtown between 10^th and 11^th Ave. His most cherished memory there is a meeting attended by Bishop Fan Noli – his first encounter with his Excellency.  

He recalls seeing issues of Dielli newspaper and other community announcements at the offices of Miko Kokalari on Revington Street. It’s worth-noting that according to Tonin’s memoirs, Miko was a facilitator of the generational gap between the old Albanian immigrants who generally were distrusted of the new comers from the old country in the US. 

The 1970-71 Convention was Tonin Mirakaj’s first assembly. He was now a delegate of the NY NJ branch and traveled to Bsoton with respectable Vatra members Muharrem Babameto, Agim Karagjozi, and Hajdar Tonuzi. It was there where he met with Anthony Athanas, Barny Kirka, Gregory Chiriako, Kristo Thanas, Rev. Arthur Liolin, Ibrahim Kulla as well as delegates from different states such as engineer Ahmet of Detroit, Fehmi Kokolari of Toronto. It was a first-hand experience of upholding the statute thanks in part to the maturity and civility of senior members such as Ramadan Ali Arza, Florence Pano, Nik Kreshpani, Pauline and Peter Lukas, Harry Stoja and many more.

Tonin Mirakaj went on to be elected on the Boards of numerous Assemblies including the position of Secretary in the 70s and 80s. He was Deputy Chairman from 1980 through 1982, under Dr. Andrea Elia’s Presidency, and again in 1984-85 with Harry Stoja as Chairman. He served as Chairman of New York and New Jersey Chapter 29 in 1978-1979, contemporaneously with Deputy Chair Mahmut Tsungu, Secretary Rasim Sina, Treasury Zef P. Deda, having served as the Financial Officer of the same branch two years prior. Mirakaj has been part of the leading team under several Vatra presidents including Kristo Thanas, Nik Kreshpani, Barny Kirka, Gregory Chiriako, Ahmet Dervishi, Dr. Andrea Elia, Harry Stoja, Arshi Pipa and Agim Karagjozi. The latter and Tonin were part of the group that was tasked with the planning of and eventually the repatriation of Faik Konica’s remains to Albania in 1995.

In one capacity or another, Mirakaj has been part of Vatra’s leadership structures for close to three decades from 1970 to 1997 according to the data kept at Vatra. For a number of years, he served as Secretary of Vatra’s Permanent Fund while also being a member of the Constitutional Revision Committee, alongside Professor Sami Repishti, Harry Stoja, Agim Karagjozi. He and Muharrem Babameto were in charge of organizing the 1972 Conference commemorating 100^th birth anniversary of Father Fishta hosted at Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York. Ten years later Tonin Mirakaj was part of the team planning the events in honor of 100^th anniversary of Fan S. Noli’s birth year at New York’s Hilton Hotel. Tonin has been a keynote speaker at several events including the luncheon hosted by Vatra in honor of Dielli’s Editor Xhevat Kallajxhi at Anthony’s Pier 4, Boston, Novermber 6, 1983. Complete remarks published in the Dielli issue of March 16, 1984, the same year he served as secretary of Vatra’s Convention held in Detroit, Michigan.     

He feels that the first half of Vatra’s life, the struggles and dedication of Vatra’s members need to get more attention in the present time. Among the main contributors of those early decades, Mirakaj singles out Peter Chikos, Kristo Thanas, Barny Kirka, Ramadan Ali Arza, Ahmet Dervishi, Dr. Andrea Elia, Pauline Lukas, Anthony Athanas. “The veteran activists of Branch 29 – New York and New Jersey, like Miko Kokolari, Vahit Çika, Muharrem Babameto, Nexhmije Zaimi, Petraq Ktona, Mahmut Tsungu and others are part of Vatra’s proud legacy,” says Mirakaj.  

Tonin has carried out organizing duties in some high-profile events such as the 1972 conference honoring 100^th birth anniversary of Father Gjergj Fishtës, hosted at Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York, and in 1982 the commemoration of Fan S. Noli’s 100^th birthday held in New York’s Hilton Hotel to mention a few. Aside from fundraising for the event, Mirakaj and then-Dielli Editor Edward Licho were responsible for collecting funds needed to publish the presentations in Flamurtar i Kombit.

To Tonin, it is especially important to honor the fact that Vatra “shares” the same birth place as the Orthodox Albanian Church in Boston. Only three years apart from one another, the two institutions worked hand in hand to protect the interests of the Albanian nation and people.  In addition, Vatra and the Church were led by the same visionary patriots and first-class intellectuals such as Fan S. Noli, Faik Konica, Llambi Çikozi, Kristo Kirka who were tireless in organizing, coordinating and holding town-halls wherever Albanians lived and worked. Thanks to their efforts and the fact that Vatra was founded as a Federation-structured organization allowing other community associations to be part of it,  the membership grew to more than five thousand Albanians at one time. Such was the popularity of Vatra, that the 60^th anniversary of its publication, Dielli newspaper, was hosted at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, in New York, in November 1969. Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim leaders of faith were in attendance, alongside religious dignitaries such as his Eminence Terence Cardinal Cooke, American Cardinal of Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop of New York (1968-1983), the Arberesh clergy of the Byzantine rite who traveled to New York all the way from Italy to attend the commemorative event. 

Some of the stand out moments over the years include meetings with statesmen and heads of state such as Dr. Ibrahim Rugova at the event marking the 300^th anniversary of Pjeter Bogdani’s passing hosted by Our Lady of Good Council Church at Fordham University in October 1989. During the one-week stay of what was Rugova’s first visit in the US, Mirakaj recalls the late President of Kosova enjoying the company of prominent figures and friends like Dom Rrok Mirdita, Dom Pjeter Popaj, Fran Shala, Bitiçi brothers, Simon Simolacaj, Pretash Curanaj, Gjek Gjonlekaj and others. Speaking prior to delivering his presentation at the event, President Rugova, a trained historian and scholar, expressed his utmost appreciation for Vatra and its historic role in Albania’s history, encapsulated in the message “Bolster Vatra because Albanians need it!” (Forcojeni Vatrën, se u duhet shqiptarëve!) 

On June 16, 1992, Mirakaj recalls the magnificent reception Vatra hosted for Sali Berisha, then newly elected democratic president of Albania: “Around two thousand guests had gathered at Hilton Hotel for the event where the keynote speaker was Professor Sami Repishti.”

Profesor Martin Camaj, a distinguished personality, who held Vatra in high regard, was also a good family friend who enjoyed the hospitality of the Mirakaj household when in New York. One of the most respected intellectuals who sat on Vatra’s Board headquartered in Boston as well as on the executive council of New York-New Jersey Branch was Nexhmije Zajmi. “The lady of Vatra”, as Tonin calls her, was a senior journalist with an illustrious career. She is the author of the best seller Daughter of the Eagle: The Autobiography of an Albanian Girl, 1937. He remembers meeting with several distinguished individuals who were part of her highly-educated community of friends. One of them was Hasan Dosti, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Albania and the country’s Minister of Justice in the early years of World War II.

At the commemoration of Vatra’s 100^th anniversary in 2012, Tonin Mirakaj was honored with A Lifetime Award for over half a century membership in the organization. During the acceptance remarks, Tonin’s advice for the Albanian community in the US is to stand by Vatra at the start of the second century of its work and to honor its relationship with the three faith leaders of our community, a tradition preserved over the years and demonstrated at the Flag Day Commemorative events. He says that Albanians can rightfully be proud of Vatra. Adding that, for him, “becoming familiar with Vatra’s by-laws and mission while being trusted with organizing tasks in several assemblies and events account for his loyal activism in the organization.” Going forward, Tonin believes, “the young generation has to appreciate Vatra as the priceless inheritance that needs to be supported in the next 100 years ahead.” He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards from several government institutions. For his dedicated service to Vatra and the Albanian community, and our national heritage in the US, Tonin Mirakaj received a medal from Albania’s Presidential Office at the commemorative dinner of Vatra’s 110^th anniversary, in June 2022, in New York.  

On July 5, 2019 on his 85^th birthday, Tonin received warm birthday messages and wishes from Dielli,  Vatra, its members and the community. Five years later, on his 90^th anniversary, Tonin Mirakaj has reached a personal milestone and also a record membership of 63 years with Vatra. 

Today on his 90^th birthday, it’s worth remembering a favorite saying about oldtimers like him who are known as “Vatrane te dimrit dhe te beharit!”  

Foto nga Arkivi i Diellit -Nga e djathta: I perndershmi Rrok Mirdita, Sejdi Bitici, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, Tonin Mirakaj dhe Engjell Sedaj, ditet e Seminarit organizuar me rastin e 300 vjetorit te Pjeter Bogdanit, ku Dr. Rugova dhe Dr. E. Sedaj ishin ligjerues. Nju Jork, Tetor 1989

Foto: At Artur Liolin, Tonin Mirakaj