Jim Xhema, a prestigious entrepreneur and major contributor of Vatra, has donated $30,000 to Vatra. The donation supports the funding of one of Vatra’s most important works to document the history of Pan Albanian Federation of America, a broad coalition of Albanians that gave rise to the Albanian national movement and promotes the rights of Albanians.
The project has been under way by a team of academics, researchers led by director of the Institute of History at the Academy of Albanological Studies, Professor Doctor Beqir Meta. It presents the most comprehensive up-to-date account of Vatra. The impact of such work is decidedly significant. Documenting the efforts to promote Albanian interests in a span of over a century is not only part of Vatra’s proud history, it is crucial to building a vision for the future of Albanians on the world stage.
Jim Xhema has been an outstanding supporter of the project that provides a roadmap of how our forefathers pursued their ideals for a country proud of its history, its name and its people. Encapsulating more than a hundred years of our proud history in the United States is a project of incredible magnitude. Vatra is only a few months away from celebrating its 110 anniversary. Its longevity is a testament to the founders’ foresightedness, inspiration and wisdom.
The meticulous recordings and analysis of the publication will serve as a reference for the young generation of Albanians in all Albanian-speaking regions and also for the international body of academia that pursues Albanological studies and historiography. Aside the five volumes of the publication, the project includes multimedia such as a documentary series production on the iconic figures and their involvement in events that have helped shape the history of Albanians in every corner of the globe.
In a time when there is no shortage of good causes in the world, we are extremely grateful that Jim Xhema has chosen to donate to this worthy project that memorializes our path and place in history.
