by Rafaela Prifti/
The 2022 celebration of Kosovo Independence Day in the Bronx displayed the affinity and support of New York Governor’s and Bronx Borough President’s office for the Albanian community. Prior to the event, New York Acting Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson jointly invited the community to the February 17th celebration.
The ceremony marked both the start of a tradition of the Bronx Borough celebrating the annual event as well as a continuation of the legacy of building up the bonds with the community. That was emphasized in a statement released by the Acting Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez prior to the event: “On behalf of Governor Kathy Hochul, the State of New York is pleased to celebrate the 14th Annual Kosovo Independence Day. Throughout the history of New York, our state has welcomed people from all over the world. On this Kosovo Independence Day, we will continue this tradition by recognizing the distinct contributions Kosovars offer to our communities, helping to add to the rich and diverse fabric of our Empire State. Congratulations and Happy Independence Day!”
The ceremony was well attended by state officials, representatives, distinguished guests, members of the diplomatic corps, community leaders and dignitaries. Among them, Head of Kosovo’s General Consulate Frymezim Isufaj delivered the welcoming remarks. The U.S. representative of New York’s 15th congressional district and co-Chair of the Congressional Albanian Issues Caucus, Ritchie Torres greeted the gathering. The address by the career diplomat Ambassador William Walker, highly regarded in the community for his role in exposing the atrocities committed on the Kosovo Albanian population at the hands of the Serbian regime before the outbreak of the war, brought back for the participants the very moment when Kosovo’s parliament proclaimed the country’s independence in 2008.
Fourteen years later, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson proclaimed “February 17th – a day of celebration, of recognition and a celebration of survival – as the Bronx Day of Kosovo’s Independence.” In partnership with the New York State, she presented Ambassador Frymëzim Isufaj with a proclamation and recognized the 2022 honorees for their contribution to the Borough and New York state in areas of healthcare, journalism and community activism: Dr. Sulejman Celaj, Dr. Eleonora Gashi, Rafaela Prifti, Esad Rizai. A posthumous tribute was presented to Ali A. Rizai with a National Hero citation.
I asked the Acting Secretary of State Rodriguez for his perspective on the celebration this year and in the future. He said that “it presents an important opportunity to recognize the work that’s done among the Kosovo community, and also helps to build those ties and celebrate them. Obviously today is the 14th annual event and next year will be the 15th anniversary, but it is an important one for the New York State for recognizing one of its many different, diverse communities. It is a good opportunity to connect and celebrate. Our goal is to connect and support our immigrant communities. The office of New Americans is critical to that. I look forward to making sure that we don’t forget anyone in our conversation about making New York as diverse and as vibrant as we can amongst all of our new American communities.
Mr. Rodriguez noted that the message to the Albanian community is that “we know you are here, we love your contributions to our communities and to our life. We will continue to celebrate it and to help all the Albanians continue to build their businesses, thrive and support their communities in every way now and in the future.”
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic act of raising the Kosovo flag at Grand Concourse and 161 Street seemingly spreading across the 4,610 miles distance between the borough of the Bronx and the Republic of Kosovo.
