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Politics & Government

Fourth Annual Independence Day Ceremony Marks 98th Anniversary of Albanian Freedom

Members of Stamford's Albanian-American community gathered at the Stamford Government Center to celebrate their country's independence from the Ottoman Empire.

A ceremony commemorating the 98th anniversary of Albanian independence, initiated by former Stamford mayor and now Connecticut governor-elect Dannel P. Malloy, was held for the fourth consecutive year Saturday morning at the Stamford Government Center.

Malloy was unable to attend the Society of Albanian-American Writers sponsored event as he was out of town, and current Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia could not be present due to the recent passing of his mother, Rose Pavia. So the chairman of Pavia's Multi-Cultural Council, Nino Antonelli, represented the mayor at the event.

The Stamford community has made an effort to recognize the most significant day celebrated by Albanian-Americans in dozens of cities and towns throughout the United States, including Hartford; another Connecticut city to observe the day.

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"Since we're not there (in Albania), we are celebrating it here," said Furtuna Velaj, aunt of the ceremony's "Mayor of the Day," Lushe Gjuraj.

Each year, the Society elects someone in Stamford's Albanian-American community who has a major success story.

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Gjuraj came to the U.S. and began working as a laborer at Lakeside Diner before moving on to buy her first restaurant (Parkway Diner on High Ridge Road) and now has several throughout the area.

"I'm very grateful for everyone," Gjuraj said to the large crowd. "Without their support I wouldn't be anything."

 Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) attended, along with Richard S. Lukaj, a big supporter for the city of Stamford.

"It's an honor and a privilege to be here to celebrate the Albanian Independence Day," Himes said, noting the self-determination of Albanians to "persevere" to be free and remain independent from the Ottoman Empire.

Albania gained its independence Nov. 28, 1912.

Other speakers included writing society president Adi Memeti, professional singer Linda Kola, who sang the Star Spangled Banner, followed by the Albanian national anthem writer and first introducer Reimonda Moisiu, and Albanian Writer's chairman Mhill Velaj.

Attending the event for the second time, Kened Velaj said it was prominent to his native country. "Since we are all refugees, we escaped our country to better our lives," he said.

Tea Memeti said the anniversary is a special one. "It's really nice because it's our independence," she said.

The ceremony also included cultural activities such as a short-skit, the raising of the Albanian Flag,  and the forementioned distinguished guest speakers.

A news release from the society noted Albanians have founded community organizations, local businesses, and branches of national institutions in the United States, along with contributing locally to the enrichment of churches, mosques and other political and cultural organizations.

25,000 Albanian-Americans currently live and work in Connecticut.

"We are an integral part of the social and political life in our communities throughout Connecticut and play an active role in the business community in education and in the political process," it said.

All attendees were welcomed for lunch at Parkway Diner after another monumental day in Stamford and Albanian history.

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