Rafaela Prifti/
In their Footsteps – a memoir book of Simon Qafa narrates the struggles of his freedom loving family that ultimately brought him to the land of the free. The stories of Simon’s father, uncle, cousins are unique yet relatable to many Albanians who were targeted by the communist regime after WWII. Simon, who is a ranking member of Vatra, depicts how those who did not comply were interrogated, intimidated, imprisoned, forced into internment camps and even executed.
Asked by Dielli about the takeaway from the book, Simon Qafa says that he wants “the reader to understand what families go through and the struggles they endure” but also to appreciate “how life has a funny way of turning on you in a split second.”
The assertions are understood to be factual. The writer Louis Romano says that the research for the book involved “many hours of reading as well as personally interviewing Simon Qafa, his family members and others who knew of the Qafa family. The bravery and determination this family shared for generations made for an incredible story.” Romano, a published novelist and Bronx native, knew Simon personally. There are parallels between Simon’s ancestors and Romano’s immigrant family from Sicily, that resonate in the present times. The writer notes that the extreme poverty under which the family lived was not unusual. But “It wasn’t simply poverty that is a common bond but the desire for a better life under freedom for their families that brought various ethnic groups to this great country. Obviously, it is still going on today,” adds Romano.
Determined to have the freedom his family members believed in, Simon Qafa set out on his own path that crossed over a few countries and even landed him in prison. “What set Simon’s life apart was his journey as a young man from Albania to Kosovo to the seminary in Rome and to prison in New York State,” says Louis Romano to Dielli.
Even though he is very knowledgeable about our history, Romano says that, when writing the book In Their Footsteps, he “was particularly surprised at the brutality that faced the Albanian people over the course of the last three hundred years. Most Americans have no idea what occurred during that period in Albania.” Shedding light on the endurance of Qafa family gives credence to the freedom fighting spirit that resonates with the Albanian American community and groups of various background in and around the Unites States.
The first collaboration has been a success. “So far, the reviews are nothing less than amazing,” relays Louis Romano. For his part, Simon appreciates Romano as “a great writer. Very respectful and patient. He pays attention to little things as much as he does about bigger things.”
Vatra hosted a book launching party at the Bronx headquarters last night.