by Rafaela Prifti/
Marjan Cubi has already made a name in the community through his tireless activism. His daughter, Aferdita, encapsulated that sentiment this way: “People who don’t know me, when they hear my last name say: Cubi? You are the daughter of Marjan Cubi.” So the idea of a documentary film that captures his commitment to family, faith and country started from a father-and-son-chat, said Ilir Cubi. The project was meant to showcase the accomplishments Marjan achieved in a land where he was given the opportunities that would lead to a life of prosperity.
It seems clear that in drawing the sharp contrast between the restrictions under Kosovo’s communist rule when Marjan lived through his teenage years and the freedom that he found here, the documentary film is as much a tribute to the new homeland, America, as it is to him. “The project started with a conversation between me and my father. I wanted to find a way to not only show appreciation for what my father had accomplished as a patriot, man of faith and a person who always has the undying devotion to fight for human rights. He had a rough upbringing, the communist rule in Kosova gave him a childhood of little food, not being able to read in Albanian, nor the chance to flourish in his homeland, on account of being Albanian. He worked so hard for others and his family. I felt I was obligated that my fathers hard work and devotion to the Albanians and family not be forgotten,” said Ilir.
The director and screenwriter of the documentary film, Ilir Bucpapaj who has built his long career at Albania’s Radio and TV national network (RTSH) was excited to be working on this project. He sees in Marjan Cubi “a personality that for half a century has contributed and contributes for the betterment of the nation. As a marathon runner he has come up against obstacles and has overcome them,” said Ilir Bucpapaj. His own encounter with Marjan dates back in his first visit in the States in the year 2000. The director recalls being impressed by the qualities and good nature of Marjan Cubi.
“I would see him at Vatra, at the Catholic Church, at the Cultural Center Mother Teresa, at Independence Day celebrations, the 60th anniversary commemoration of Bujan Conference, at 100 anniversary of Vatra and many more,” said Mr. Bucpapaj. In the course of his assignments he had interviewed Marjan as the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) representative for the Tri-state area during a very difficult time for Kosova, in fundraising campaigns through Vatra to help Kosovo’s Albanians efforts to defend themselves and also the needy families. As far as memories go, Vatra’s Chairman Elmi Berisha recalled meeting Marjan about 35 years back when Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) led by Kosovo’s President Ibrahim Rugova was actively campaigning to bring Kosovo to the forefront of the US Foreign Policy. Footage of rallies in DC, New York, news clips, dozens of interviews with clergy, community leaders, Vatra executives, and hundreds of photos, even family videos are all part of a two hour documentary that centers on Marjan. The Cubi family showed a screening on June 13 at Our Lady of Shkodra (Zoja e Shkodres) where friends and family gathered to watch it in the Sunday afternoon.
For the director and screenwriter, “Marjan is unique in the way he is committed to a wide-range of engagements from LDK, Vatra Federation, Catholic Church aside from his role in various fundraising efforts. “To describe Marjan, I will borrow a quote from him: I believe in God, have faith in the US and am a follower of the philosophical, political and humanistic vision of the historic president of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova,” said Ilir Bucpapaj, adding that “Marjan is still going in his Marathon track as he continues to stay active and to contribute to the Albanian national cause in America and Kosova.”
Marjan Cubi has been involved in numerous events of political, religious, or cultural importance for over four and a half decades in the United States. He is member of Vatra’s Executive Board and serves as its Treasurer. At the center of his qualities is his public service, rooted in his Catholic faith and love for his homeland and family. Marjan sees the Church as one of the pillars of the nation and is mindful of the past sacrifices of the Catholic clergy patriots to advance the nation’s interests and the severe persecution they suffered under the communist rule.
Since father and son are both Vatra members, I asked Ilir Cubi what it the purpose of the documentary for the next generation of Albanian Americans in the Cubi family. “As a son of a man who never gave up no matter how dim it looked, or what the outcome might be, he showed me that with hard work and great friends anything is possible. Vatra and its members have an undying devotion to help others, keep an open heart to the suffering of people in need. The Vatra members do not make money for caring, taking time away from their families, and making time to meet with men and women who can make a difference in their lives. The “profit” is what they receive in their soul and the knowledge that they helped someone. We helped a people in need, a people who also deserve to speak Albanian, read Albanian and of course, dance Albanian. We are the Illyrian people and I am proud to hold the name my father gave me at birth: ILIR,” he said.
The Cubi family’s pride of Albanian ancestry is featured prominently in the documentary film. The appreciation of Albanian traditions has been passed down from their grandparents who lived in the multi-generational family home in New York until they passed away. Marjan Cubi and his life partner, Dile have kept the tradition alive with their three children, Ilir, Aferdita, Teresa, and five grandchildren. The oldest grandson, Josef, who said that he had not seen the documentary prior to its screening, remarked with emotion “I am proud to be a Cubi!” after seeing the film.