Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

Albanians of America honor their martyrs

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By Merita B. McCormack/

Washington DC

The 16th Annual Rroll Call of Nation – Wreath Laying Ceremony took place in Washington DC on June 9th 2023.

Many Embassies of former captive nations and representatives of ethnic groups, based in America, gathered at the crossing of Mass Ave and New Jersey Avenue in the nation’s Capital and participated in the beautiful ceremony, organized by VOC.

In the program booklet one reads:

“Every year the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation hosts a ceremony on the anniverssary of the dedication of the Memorial. Our purpose is to honor the memory of more than 100 million victims of communism, to celebrate liberty where it has triumphed and to further our pursuit of a world free from communism”

This year Milda Boyce , Director of Fellowships opened the ceremony , she spoke about VOC’s role and also the importance of this event.

Dr. Lee Edwards, the founder of the Foundation reminded the participants of many nations past and present, suffering under Communism.

Dr. Elizabeth Spalding , current chairman of the Foundation held the keynote speech. Among other things she remarked on the VOC’ museum.

Dr. Paula Dobriansky introduced the recipient of Truman Reagan Medal of Freedom Recipient for this year: he is an activist from Tibet.

The roll call of nations began with representatives of Bulgarian and Croatian embassies and followed by other embassies and organizations.

From the Albanian community there was only one organization represented, that being Albanian Community in Diocese of Arlington .

There was also a wreath on behalf of Albanian American Council , their wreath was carried by VOC staff members due to the representatives being on travel.

We owe respect, reverence and honor to the memory of those who gave their lives under communism . They resisted, they prayed, they stood up and they died. God, family and country were their first and foremost love.

Their voices cry out: Remember us!

Our deeds say: We will never forget you!

TEATRI… Ta bejme Shqiperine si Gjithe Europa!

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Shkruan: Merita B. McCormack- Uashington DC/*

Diten e Diel, me daten 17 maj 2020, ne oret e para te mengjesit, sipas lajmerimit nga Zeri I Amerikes, nga Tirana, Forcat Policore te Qytetit te Tiranes nderhyne me shpejtesi te papare dhe me nje efektivitet te plote, duke vene barrikada rreth teritorit te nderteses historike te Teatrit Kombetar dhe duke i perzene protestuesit qe ishin aty, pa kontrolluar nese kishte apo jo njerez brenda. Fadroma goditi muret dhe brenda pak castesh nje re e madhe pluhuri mbuloi sheshin Skenderbej ne Tirane. Ne SHBA ishte duke u afruar mesnata dhe ne Tirane ishte agim. 

Gazetari  Ilirian Agolli , ishte i vetem  tek filmonte dhe ju kerkonte policeve te lejohej te afrohej per filmime, ai  e solli direkt lajmin per ne. Zeri i Amerikes na beri te mundur te shihnim me dhimbje se si ne menyre te rrufeshme u shkaterrua  ndertesa e Teatrit dhe si u perndoq grupi protestues dhe se sa e panevojshme ishte kjo menyre.

Personalisht kam ato kujtime qe kam, si spektatore , si artdashese dhe si shqiptare. 

Per shume te tjere ka kujtime te ndryshme, sipas integrimit e pjesemarrjes ne Teater si shikues, artdashes, apo si punonjes. Per te gjithe ndjesia eshte e ndryshme. Nuk eshte fjala per tullat e llacin, nuk eshte fjala per nje gje teknike.  

Per Aleancen per Mbrojtjen e Teatrit ka mese dy vjet e gjysem qe eshte shnderruar ne ceshtje jetike dhe nje ceshtje tashme qe prek cdo qytetar te Tiranes e gjithe popullin shqiptar. 

Flitet per disa gjera dhe do mundohem ti rendit me poshte e shkurtimisht

Se pari per Tiranen e tiranasit (tironsit), ne vecanti, eshte nje ndertese e para komunizmit dhe paraqet dicka unike Tiranase, qe ka te beje me themelimin e qytetit e zhvillimin e tij si kryeqytet por edhe me lidhjen shpirterore, pasi tironsit kane qene ata qe ishin me shpirt antikomunsite dhe kosmopolitane. Prishja e teatrit, mes shume te tjerave, ju theu edhe kete lidhje qe kishin me periudhen parakomuniste.

Se dyti, Teatri paraqet e pasqyron vlera te medha historike per artin e kulturen shqiptare ne pergjithesi e jo vetem perTiranen. Per vlerat arkitetkurore e artistike te teatrit kane deshmuar  eksperte vendas e te huaj si edhe disa organizata nderkombetare.  Mirepo kjo nuk eshte marre parasysh nga autoritetet qeveritare qe morren persiper ta shkaterrojne dhe hajdutce, ne momentin me delikat, kur njeriun e lodh gjumi i humbur dhe eshte disi i rraskapitur. 

Se treti, qendresa e aktorve dhe e qytetareve erdhi natyrshem, e pasponsorizuar nga parti politike, megjithese mund te kete pasur perpjekje monopolizimi, por kjo levizje eshte e paster nga influencat e parrallinjve, e atyre qe quhen “movers and shakers” qe nuk i mungojne Shqiperise. Kjo levizje eshte reflektim i ndergjegjjes qytetare. 

Se katerti, mos perfshirja e komunitetit nderkombetar me thelbin e ceshtjes ne fjale tregon se  ata kane besim tek Shqiptaret dhe se shqiptaret duhet e do t’ja dalin vete. Megjithese ne disa momente nje mesazh mbeshtetes e ndonje nderkombetari, perfshi edhe ambasaden amerikane  do te ishte shume e mirepritur. Jam e sigurt qe me shume do jene shqetesuar nderkombeateret per mungesen e distancimit social ne kete proteste sot!! 

Se pesti , kjo Aleance per Mbrojtjen e Teatrit i ka dhene udhe nje ceshtjeje me te madhe e me te qendrueshme e me perspektive qe megjithese duket e pashprese, mendoj se duhet te marre kreditin e duhur. Protesta e sotme ne Tirane ishte deshmuese e asaj qe do te vije me pas. Qytetaret po marrin (e duhet ) te marin fatin e tyre ne duart e veta. Reagimi qytetar ndaj nje akti te qeverise duhet te jete gjithnje parametri kyc ne  menyren e drejtimit dhe llogaridhenia ndaj popullit duhet te jete e vazhdueshme, e shpeshte dhe te percaktoje qendrimin apo jo ne pushtet te tyre. Kur populli reagon, e reagon fuqishem, qeveria duhet te degjoje e duhet te mbaje shenime e duhet te permiresoje punen , jo te shtype  e te diktoje veprimet qeveritare. Sepse populli e paguan qeverine e jo anasjelltas. Prandaj, kjo proteste e udhehequr nga aktore e aktiviste tiranas duhet te mbeshtetet nga gjithe populli dhe t’i sherbeje demokratizimit e lirise se individit dhe te shoqerise. Prandaj ato qe u thane per tridhjete vite “E duam Shqiperine si Gjithe Europa”, tashme, me vend jane zevendesuar me togjfaleshin “Ta bejme Shqiperine si Gjithe Europa”. Dhe kjo do behet sepse duan shqiptaret ta bejne. Ku ka nje qellim te mire, ku ka shqiptare te mire, ka gjithmone edhe nje rruge te mire. Shqiperine do ta bejne si Europa vetem  Shqiptaret e mire. Aleanca per Mrojtjen e Teatrit eshte e perbere nga shqiptare te mire. Le ti mbeshtesim e le ti japim ate qe ne mundemi per nje Shqiperi te mire!  Jemi me ju!   

*Merita B. McCormack eshte anetare e Kryesise se Vatres,  qe jeton  e punon ne Uashington DC, SHBA. 

VATRA Remains Strong and Mission Focused

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By Merita B. McCormack */

Reflection after the first meeting/

On Saturday, March 15th, the new VATRA called for its new Leadership, the new Executive Board, the new General Council, and Editors of “Dielli” to a first meeting after the General Assembly on January 19 which was held in Michigan, organized by the Regional Vatra Chapter of that state.  This first meeting was also  held  on the  111-th Anniversary of Dielli’s first publication. 

The meeting hall of VATRA house in New York was full and the atmosphere was warm. It is always good to see the brothers and sisters whom we share the same blood but also work on the same page, serving the same ideal in regard to Albanian matters.

Being a member of VATRA is both an honor and a privilege, which calls not only for great respect for its age, for the work of our predecessors but also for a greater responsibility for its future and the mission to carry.

Mr. Elmi Berisha, an experienced VATRAN and with a commendable business background, is the first Albanian American hailing from Kosova, to be the new Chairman to lead VATRA. Also, Mr. Agim Rexhaj the Honorary President of VATRA, a former VP for so many terms, is an Albanian American of Kosova. It is a blessing for our organization that they are from Kosova, a fact that has brought us joy. We did not intend to elect a chairman and a honorary chairman simply because they are from Kosova, the fact that they are, has come about lately and is a joyful occasion.

The new Chairman focused on unity, much work and less words, forging ahead with a VATRA that is true to its form and mission, reaching out to the young generations and furthering the good work. One can tell that it was both motivating and heartwarming for all. This was reflected through the several discussions and suggestions from every vatran. The atmosphere of cooperation and desire to help was very obvious. From Mr. Agim Rexhaj, to VPs like Mr. Alfons Grishaj, Mr. Besim Malota, Dr. Pashko Camaj and Mr. Ervin Dine, you could see not only the desired unity, but a well displayed desire to serve well, by working together, as a team. They all expressed their thoughts on the ways and means to lay the ground for the upcoming work and to set a clear vision for the VATRA of 21st Century.  

The leaders of regional chapters, members of both Boards, editors of Dielli like Mr. Mondi Rakaj, Mr. Dalip Greca, Mr. Marjan Cubi, Mrs. Marjana Bulku, Dr. Milaim Tahiri, Mrs. Rafaela Prifti, Mr. Adem Malellari, Mr Kujtim Porja, Mr. Lek Mirakaj, Mr. Lek Perlleshi, Mr. Idriz Lamaj, Mr. Valentin Lumaj, Mr. prend Qeta, Mr.  Dritan Haxhia and this author (pardon me if I forgot other names) spoke and discussed, suggested and elaborated on what they think the work should be focused on. It was clear that through many discussions, its leaders and members affirmed that VATRA is always on the side of Albanian people and American People, supporting the policy of the US government in the Balkan and that Vatra remains an organization known for its anticommunist stance.  There were several discussions who called for outreach to the honorable and loved members of VATRA who were not present that day and how to solve some disagreements that still exist. There were also calls for auditing the financial assets and institutions during the tenure of former presidencies.

VATRA has survived many storms and tribulations and always has emerged stronger and that the trials are only purging what is unnecessary. One of those unnecessary things was brought up by the new President as the mass communications of unproductive emails which have been noted for some time and which should stop, for the good of VATRA and for the good of Albanians. He called for unity of all and emphasized that work ought to justify the promises. That was a very appropriate advice at this very poignant time for us all. VATRA has garnered a lot of strength and support and that strength comes from the very nuclear power that it generates because of its mission, its good works and its purpose. VATRA was founded on just principles, for the right goals and Serving is its unspoken but obvious motto.  Its members understand that. Let us continue to serve as its founders devised and dreamed it to be. We all can do it by keeping the ideal alive, a pure heart and a mind that is clear and at the service of the nation and not of self.

*The Author is the Member of Executive Board, resident of Virginia and a former DC representative and Regional Chapter President of VATRA.

Love Revealed Through Albanian Folk Music

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Reminiscing while listening to Saz’Iso CD- “At Least Wave Your Handkerchief At Me”/

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1 Merita ok

By Merita B McCormack,- Washington DC/

A friend from Albania came to visit us last month and as a gift to the multiple hosts in USA, she brought each the now famous CD of  “Saz’Iso” ‘s  “At Least Wave the Handkerchief at Me”. This latest CD is a recording of an Albanian group of seven artists who have provided a fantastic rendering of several songs and dances produced by Joe Boyd, Edit Pula and Andrea Goertler.  It is engineered by Jerry Boys and recorded in Tirana Marubi Academy of Film, in Albania and published by Carthage Music.  The artists are : Donika Pecallari,(vocal) Adrianna Thanou,(vocal)  Robert Tralo, (vocal)Aurel Qirjo,(violin and vocal) , Telando Feto, (clarinet), Agron Murat, (llaute/lute), Agim  Nasi (frame drum/dajre), Pellumb Meta,(fyell/flute/vocal).

Joe Boyd is well known professional of the industry in the western world and more.

My friend Maria K, who brought the CD, said to me before opening it: “I know that you, being from Korca, will like this the best.” I looked at her wondering what could it might be and was wondering what was in the thin, well wrapped package. I gathered it was a CD, but was thinking some Albanian talk on something important, and thought if music, it probably was a CD with some Serenata Korcare. But yet, my friend is a Catholic Consecrated Lay Woman, so she could not possible bring that to me. But who knows, I am Korcare after all.

As I opened it,  I saw the CD, for which I was aware. Had heard a program about it on NPR and had shared that.  But I had not had a chance to have seen or heard the whole list.  I had heard who were the singers, had searched their songs and revisited the Youtube links many times. Many times have played and enjoyed but there has been never a CD of this quality and this selection, carefully chosen, masterfully arranged and recorded.

As soon as I got the CD, I put it on my car’s CD player slot and drove away on that snowy and icy day. Soon enough I was crying.  Had to stop somewhere to take a photo of the CD’s cover and posted it on my Facebook.  Wanted to share with my friends but also wanted to wipe my tears away. Then drove away turning the volume up, and if felt that route “7 West” was the Ruga e Sportit in Korca, where I had so many memories walking up and down after many rehearsals and concerts and where had heard and sung such songs.

The next morning I got a message from one of the artists, Donika Pecallari, who didn’t know if I was Albanian or not, due to my last name, but she was so kind and wanted to thank me for posting about the CD on Facebook.

I had to smile at her gesture and thought that hers, was so typical  of an Albanian woman, such great humility and admirable generosity.  Donika and her co-stars perhaps do not realize in its fullness what great favor she and her friends have done to all Albanians and me. Donika and I chatted a little on the messenger and I expressed my desire to write a bit and asked her some questions. As she was responding to my questions she told me all about it and how it started, what happened and supplied a wealth of information about the now beautiful Saz’Iso. Then I looked up some more and I found that the success of Saz”iso is huge. They have been performing while touring several countries and there are many raving review.  As I mentioned NPR had a piece and BBC broadcasted during a Live program the “Tana song”.

While many of you may have heard about it, some may have not, some may know of the non Albanian reviews and some not, but if you have few minutes to spare, these are some thoughts that came to my mind as I heard over and over again these beautiful pieces of our darling music, music that I knew since the day I  began to perceive the world around me, but  never appreciated then the way I do now.

Familial Love:

Albanians throughout the centuries have been all about family. The art has reflected that dynamic and the love, whether is tough love or just affection, compassion, mourning or joy. It is there, manifested at weddings and funerals, in its fullness..

For example, Tana’s song is such a beautiful ballad, talks about a shepherd being killed and how the sister heard about it through shepherd’s flute melody. The legend has it that as she flies over the mountains, the places the horse galloped caught fire and afterwards roses took roots and grew. Today those flowers are called the “Fire Flowers or Tana’s Roses” The love between parents and children and siblings is a characteristic of all nations, but for some reason, amongst Albanians is like a national virtue. A small nation, striving to always survive, caught between East and West, has nothing else to hold on but God and family. Hence the other familial love song “Nenockë – Mother dear” hits you and strikes you, leaving a long lasting emotional impact. There is not a single time that I hear that song and do not get teary eyed.  And I believe many feel the same. The tone is so beautiful but mourning also. All these, integrated in song, deliver perfectly the emotion.

Filial Love.

“Trendafili Flete –Fletë – The Petaled Rose “ song is also a beautiful song signaling the end of bachelor days and transformation to a bridegroom, as he is about to marry. There are so many songs like this in Albania. All  were sung at certain events and during the week of the wedding. There are songs to prepare for the engagement, to get engaged, to have a bachelor / bachelorette party, all then culminating with the wedding feast.  Some of the Dances fit in this category, as they indicate a team building effort among friends, whether is expresses joy or sorrow.

Romantic Love

This is known as Eros and is so characteristic of many folk songs in Albania.  It is so beautifully illustrated through the songs like “ Penxherene e Zotrise Sate – The window of your ladyship”,  “Goce e Berberit- The Barber’s daughter”,  “Beje Dru ne Percellime – Cutting Wood on the Burned Winter Slope” are  mostly songs that are sung to court or date the young, single ladies,. The ways the rhymes go are simple, but so meaningful.  The Albanian folk music would be incomplete without such songs. They are sung by both sexes and no one ever questions that, something that in other cultures might be misunderstood.  Every time that someone gets engaged or married, the never ending days of celebration, each have relevant songs, expressing the state of life at the given moment, thus, courting, dating, engagement and finally the wedding are all celebrated appropriately and romantic love through songs is centerpiece.  Sometimes listening to the lyrics, someone might say, lucky those who understand and lucky those who don’t J . But for the Albanians, they are just part of life.

Sublime Love

 There are songs and dances like “Osman Taka Dance “  “Doli Laceja nga Stani” and even the story off “Kaba with clarinet” that illustrate the sacrifice and the motivation to fight for the love of country and to protect others.   Albanian folk music is full of such masterpieces and the Southern Part is as rich as the North. The mourning songs, the ballads singing to heroes are plenty. The songs that show national pride and praising victories are many, as there are those of mourning the fallen for freedom. Seldom you attend an event that does not have all these types of songs or dances, whether be a wedding or an Albania’s Independence Party.  It includes all.

We who grew up with these songs and dances were not as appreciative at the time when we were hearing them almost daily, but as time goes by, we realize what we miss and how much we miss them. We do realize how much we love and appreciate them now. Being abroad, away from our motherland we do realize what gems we have.  And this is the reason for writing this article, for which I had never planned, but it took a foreigner (Joe B.) to provide such a CD to rekindle in me the longing for my own art and enjoy it very much. Thank you!  And it took seven hard working brothers and sisters of mine, and their assisting families and teams to render such beautiful art. To all of you, thank you!

Wishing all a Blessed and Happy St. Valentine’s Feast Day, I invite everyone to hear the beautiful Albanian music and not just on CD, but hear it all and enjoy it. It has much to offer.

Mesha, Heroi Gjergj Kastrioti, Shenjtëresha Tereza dhe Festa në Washington

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Meshë e Shenjtë dhe Festë Shqiptare në Washington DC/

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Mesha e Shenjtë është mbajtur nga Shkëlqesia e tij, Arqipeshkvi Charles Brown, Nunsi Apostolik në Tiranë./

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Nga Merita B. McCormack/Dielli/

Festimet e komuntietit shqiptar në Washington DC për të mbyllyr vitin  e Skënderbeut edhe ditëlindjen e 110 të Nënë Terezës, filluan me një Meshë të Shenjtë mbajtur nga Shkëlqesia e tij, Arqipeshkvi Charles Brown, Nunsi Apostolik në Tiranë. Kjo meshë e shenjtë shënoi edhe integrimin e nderimit ne gjuhën shqipe në dioqezën lokale.  Dhe ky eveniment mblodhi shqiptarë të të gjitha krahinave dhe feve, pasi ne shqiptarët tradicionalisht festojmë bashkë.

Arqipeshkvi Brown me një shqipe mjaft të bukur në fillim përshëndeti pjesëmarrsit, falenderoi organizatorët dhe mikrpitësit dhe  pastaj mbajti meshën në gjuhën shqipe. Ishte një festim Hyjnor . Euharistia  Shenjt në altar, u bë i pranishëm përmes lutjeve në shqip të Arqipeshkvit Brown. Ai u ndihmua në meshë nga meshtari i Universitetit mikpritës ku u mblodhën pjesëmarrësit dhe nga seminaristi shqiptar Z.Vasel Gjonlejkaj.

Shërbyesit në altar ishin fëmijë shqiptarë dhe miq të shqiptarëve.

Muzikantët po ashtu ishin shqiptarë dhe miq të shqiptarëve, të gjithë të rinj e të talentuar.  Lexuesit ishin shqiptaro-Amerikanë dhe një amerikan që ka mësuar shqip.

Në meshë merrnin pjesë shumë shqiptaro -amerikanë të zonës,  anëtarë të komunitetit dhe miq nga Nju Jorku e Detroiti. Ishte e pranishme gjithashtu edhe një motër religjioze nga Staten Island, Sr.Regina Gega, e cila shoqërohej nga Aida dhe Gjergj Balaj. Mondi Rakaj, krytari i Degës së Vatrës nga Michigani ishte gjithashtu i pranishëm në këto festime. Fatkeqësisht askush nga diplomatët e Tiranës  apo të Prishtinës  në DC nuk mundi të ishte pjesemarrës . Ambasadorja Faber ndodhej diku gjetkë për momentin dhe njoftoi me keqardhje për mungesën.

Në predikimin e tij të shkëqlyer Arq.Brown theksoi  mes të tjerash vlerat familjare të kombit shqiptar, harmoninë ndërfetare dhe trajtoi disa çështje të tjera që lidhen me rëndësinë e jetës dhe dinjitetin e njeriut. Ai  foli gjithashtu gjatë për dy figurat  më të shquara kombëtare tonat,  Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu dhe Nënë Tereza.

Pas meshës të pranishmit, nën tingujt e  hymnit “Ave Maria”, patën mundësinë të nderonin reliket e klasit të parë të katërmbëdhjetë martirëve shqiptarë,  grupit të Msgr. Vincenz Prennushi me shokë.

Pas meshës u kalua në hollin e pritjes, zbukuruar shumë si për festat e Krishtlindjes por edhe me flamur amerikan e shqiptar.  Atje u bë një festim i bukur me një program të veçantë.(Lexoje të plotë në gazetën Dielli te printuar-Per me shume foto shkoni en Facebook dielli vatra)