Franz- Llesh Grishaj
100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania
St. Paul’s Albanian Catholic Church
Sunday, 25 November 2012
Opening Comments by Co-Chair Franz-Llesh Grishaj
Honorable clerics, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, and fellow compatriots,
Good evening! At this time, I would like to personally thank the preparatory committee for bestowing me this honor to co-chair this historic anniversary with the lovely Mrs. Rafaela Kondi.
Since we have just celebrated the National American Holiday – Thanksgiving, I feel obligated to follow in the traditional spirit of the original Thanksgiving festivity, by first, and foremost, giving praise and thanks to the Creator just as the Pilgrims and Native Americans did in 1620. Hence, we thank Almighty God for watching over our respective nations and we pray that His divine hand will continue to safeguard us. Also, as Albanians we sincerely thank, appreciate, and value what the Untied States has done for Albania and the Albanians; may this mutual friendship between our countries become even stronger.
As I stand before you tonight, I am simply in awe at the realization that we, as a community, are actually commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania; a milestone that finds me speechless in attempting to describe the euphoric sentiment that has literally overwhelmed me.
Therefore, allow me to use the very words immortalized 75 years ago by the martyred Franciscan, Pater Bernardin Palaj; a renowned poet, folklorist, historian, and pianist who after being brutally tortured, without cause, died at the hands of the Communist Stalinist regime under Albania’s Dictator Enver Hoxha.:
“…Kush shqyp, pra, i lutet Zotit,
A sot a kurr per Flamur t’ Kastrijotit,
Pse Kombi mare Ka’ n’ Vlone nji Flamur t’ vet!
Pra, n’ emen t’ Zotit, burra, rrnofte Shqypnija:
Rnofte Flamuri e Lirija”!
Simply translated:
“… Those who pray to God in Albanian
Now or never, for the Flag of Kastrioti
Because in Vlona, our entire nation has its own Flag!
Therefore, in the name of God, Men, Long Live Albania:
Long Live the Flag and Long Live Freedom!
This stanza echoed throughout the country as Albanians paid homage during the 25th Anniversary of their Independence. These words, when put into their proper historical context, are still as profound now as they were then.
Yes, dear brothers and sisters, yes! I say profound because we, as a people, have throughout our history actually experienced the Shakespearian dilemma, “To be, or not to be.” That was, and unfortunately continues to be the question; and with the Grace of God we are here tonight, stronger and better than ever before! Yes, indeed then ever before!
As a result, we cannot and must not allow this centennial to pass us without recognizing that we, as a nation, have achieved much and should therefore celebrate our successes. Yes, we have definitely come a long way and ought to feel triumphant after enduring 500 years of Ottoman subjugation and domination to finally proclaim Albania’s Independence on November 28, 1912, and still remain Albanian against all odds! Yes, remain Albanian and not Turk, Slav, Greek or Italian as the constant battle to secure Albania’s sovereignty was not finalized until 1920; with the invaluable assistance of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and the support of Pope Benedict XV. Yes, in 1992, we were jubilant with the collapse of Communism in Albania after nearly 50 years. Yes, we were again elated because Dardania, [Kosova] was finally freed from Serbian occupation and became a sovereign country on February 17, 2008. Again, I say yes, we were overjoyed because Albania officially became a NATO member on April 1, 2009. Yes, it is most apparent that we have a lot to be thankful for and rightfully acknowledge them during our celebration.
However, I believe that it is imperative to note that as the original settlers to inhabit the Illyrian Peninsula, more commonly known as the Balkan Peninsula, we have much work that still needs to be done. We must never underestimate the patriotic efforts of Albania’s Founding Fathers who lived for, fought for, and died for the unification of the four Ethnic Albanian Provinces of Shkodra, Kosova, Manastir, and Janina into a single Albanian state. Yet, we cannot minimize the harsh reality that the existence of the Albanian state was actually at the mercy of the Great Powers and not necessarily our patriotic struggle. Furthermore, we should not overlook the nations, particularly Austria-Hungary, who safeguarded Albania rather than allowing its complete partition amongst her neighbors; Montenegro to the north, Serbia to the east, and Greece to the south.
As Highlanders from Malesia e Madhe, belonging to the ancient city of Shkodra, we know all too well that prior to November 28, 1912, our forebears, under the leadership of the valiant Dede Gjo’ Luli and with the unwavering support of the Catholic clergy, first raised the Kastrioti Flag on Mount Bratile, in Deqic, on April 6, 1911. Yet, our precious Malesi still finds itself between two borders as Tuzi, half of Hoti, all of Gruda along with Treisphi, Koja, and Luhari continue to be under the jurisdiction of Montenegro. Unfortunately for the territorial integrity of Mother Albania, it is not only a segment of our beloved Malesi that remains under foreign rule; just to name a few we still have Plava, Gucia, Tivari, Ulqini, Chameria, the Valley of Presheva, Kercova, and others.
Thus, I appeal to our Albanian officials representing the Republics of Albania and Kosova, since we are better and stronger than ever before, the time is right to truly honor the sacred Albanian National Cause by aspiring to achieve the long awaited dream of a united Ethnic Albania! I ask that you exhaust every diplomatic channel on behalf of the ethnic Albanians who reside in their ancestral lands but, through no fault of their own, find themselves under the rule of Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, and Greece. Collectively, we must be courageous in speaking for their plight, not with malice, but with truth, because beside historical facts we have righteousness on our side. In the words of the great abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, “Truth is both proper and beautiful at all times and at all places.”
Therefore, let us begin this evening to speak the only truth that is to be spoken; tonight we shall celebrate like we have never celebrated before. But tomorrow let us roll up our sleeves and work with one another as we have never worked before for the betterment of the entire Albanian nation!
God bless the Albanians!
God bless Ethnic Albania!
God bless our adopted homeland – The United States of America!
