By Rafaela Prifti/

The announcement by the Queens branch of Vatra to commemorate Mithat Frasheri on October 3 at the Roger Smith was designed to honor the nationalist activist on the date and the likely place of his passing, namely October 3 at the Roger Smith Hotel on Lexington Avenue. As the participants started to walk in, Dielli spoke briefly with the Chairman of the local branch Dr. Myrtezani, who set off the affiliate with a meeting dedicated to Mithat Frasheri in 2013.

DIELLI : In the fifth commemorating event since its beginning, what new facts are coming to light at tonight’s presentation?

Dr. Myrtezani: There are publications that reveal  information on meetings between Frashëri and Dick White, a British Intelligence Officer at the time, which indicate the coordinated efforts and competing interest of UK and US  to organize the anti-communist forces in the early period of the cold war.

DIELLI: How do you define the purpose of the annual commemorative event ?
Dr. Myrtezani: Year after year we continue to increase our knowledge of the various dimensions of Mithat Frasheri’s life and work in diplomacy, politics, culture and much more. It is particularly relevant in our understanding of the question of the Albanian nationalism.

The event proceeded with a slide presentation by Dr. Myrtezani followed by historic and literary references provided by the Editor in Chief Dalip Greca. Chairman of the Pan-Albanian Federation Dritan Mishto congratulated the branch on continuing the initiative. He denounced the smearing campaign towards our national figures and called for endorsing to honor them for their contribution. Towards that end, he said that Vatra will be part of a remembrance ceremony coming up in mid November. The diaspora jointly with the official Albanian authorities will take part in the repatriation of Mithat Frashëri’s remains. Dr. Myrtezani concluded the evening by thanking the participants and inviting them to the next event of the local branch in November.