Cultural Association “Bilal Xhaferri”
Encyclopedia
The Bilal Xhaferri Cultural Association (Shoqata Kulturore “Bilal Xhaferri”), otherwise called Cultural Community of Chameria, is a non-governmental organization centered in Tirana
, Albania
. This association was founded by a group of journalists, writers, artists and intellectuals, friends of dissident novelist and publicist Bilal Xhaferri
. Its key objective was to present to the Albanian people Bilal’s figure, forgotten by the Communist dictatorship and to compare Albanian cultural values, especially those of Chameria
, with the most developed civilizations’ values.
. This publishing house was one of the first publishing entities of the post-communist period, whose aim was the publication of the most important values of world literature and Albanian dissident literature. It also gave to the young talented writers the necessary spaces to develop their literary skills.
The large number of publications of this Publishing House and its large activity in those years stimulated the foundation of an institution with more values than a simple publishing house. So, the foundation of a multifunctional cultural organism, of a non-profit organization was a necessity. It would include the field of publication and would have the possibility to collaborate with governmental and non-governmental institutions, inside and outside the country. A group of Chams, together with their friends from different countries, discussed for a long time with intellectuals of the Cultural Community of Chameria, collaborating with many writers too, Albanian artists and Bilal Xhaferri
’s friends.
The result of this intellectual collaboration was the foundation of the Cultural Association “Bilal Xhaferri”, as a specialized institution that could expand cultural activity beyond Albania
’s, Kosovo
’s and Macedonia’s borders, up to the United States of America, to coordinate the work with Cham League, Kosovo
’s League, Democratic League of Montenegro
and Albanians’ League in Macedonia. The association could provide a great support for the Cham issue, to resolve this problem diplomatically.
These friends had to be even diplomats like other writers and artists who are ambassadors of their country’s culture... They became diplomatic missionaries of Albanian culture... Some friends, who joined this association, heartily helped the Cham ideal. Some of them were known intellectuals such as: Pjeter Arbnori
, Dritëro Agolli
], Ismail Kadare
etc., and many others, not only Chams...
The Cultural Association "Bilal Xhaferri" in a short time extended its activity not only in the Cham community areas, but also in the most important cities of Albania
, wherever Bilal Xhaferri
’s friends were... This association has excellent relations with Albanian state structures, with the political spectrum, with the governing majority and the opposition parties, with young and old politicians such as: Pjeter Arbnori
, Ibrahim Rugova
, Sali Berisha
and Fatos Nano
, Skënder Gjinushi
, Edi Rama
, Ilir Meta
, Tahir Muhedini
, Hashim Thaçi
, Bamir Topi
, Besnik Mustafaj
etc., etc...
This association has set up good relations not only with embassies, such as: American
, British
, Italian
, German
and Turkish
embassy, but also with important personalities of world culture such as: Hillary Clinton and Doris Pack
, Miranda Vickers and James Pettifer, Marco Pannella and Callenback, Dr.Haim Reitan
, etc..
The young poets, journalists, intellectuals and politicians such as Dylbere Dika, Kostaq Myrtaj, Xhulia Xhekaj and many others have become the voice of this association, which aims to keep the Cham ideal alive.
“Eagle’s wing” magazine (Krahu i shqiponjës
), which was founded by Bilal Xhaferri
in the United States of America, is the organ that continues to direct this association’s activities.... Through its writings people can learn more about Bilal Xhaferri’s figure and the big contribution he gave for Albanian culture and literature. And on May 6, 1995 Bilal Xhaferri’s remains were taken back to his homeland, Albania
. The Albanian state and writer Shefki Hysa
, the chairman of this association, played an important role in this initiative...
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. This association was founded by a group of journalists, writers, artists and intellectuals, friends of dissident novelist and publicist Bilal Xhaferri
Bilal Xhaferri
Bilal Xhaferri was an Albanian poet and novelist, and a political dissident against the Albanian communist regime. He was born in Ninat, Konispol in southern Albania, and died in Chicago, USA...
. Its key objective was to present to the Albanian people Bilal’s figure, forgotten by the Communist dictatorship and to compare Albanian cultural values, especially those of Chameria
Chameria
Chameria is a term used today mostly by Albanians for parts of the coastal region of Epirus in southern Albania and northwestern Greece It was also used by Greeks till the mid of 20th century and is frequently found in Greek literature. Today it is obsolete in Greek, surviving mainly in Greek folk...
, with the most developed civilizations’ values.
History
The Cultural Association “Bilal Xhaferri” was founded in 1993 and since 1994 it operates as a cultural institution. It aimed to better accomplish the mission of Bilal Xhaferri Publishing House which was created in 1991 by the Albanian writer Shefki HysaShefki Hysa
Shefki Mazar Hysa - is an Albanian writer and journalist.- Biography :He continued his elementary studies in Shalës of Konispol, Çamëri region.In 1976, he continued his studies at high school Konispol...
. This publishing house was one of the first publishing entities of the post-communist period, whose aim was the publication of the most important values of world literature and Albanian dissident literature. It also gave to the young talented writers the necessary spaces to develop their literary skills.
The large number of publications of this Publishing House and its large activity in those years stimulated the foundation of an institution with more values than a simple publishing house. So, the foundation of a multifunctional cultural organism, of a non-profit organization was a necessity. It would include the field of publication and would have the possibility to collaborate with governmental and non-governmental institutions, inside and outside the country. A group of Chams, together with their friends from different countries, discussed for a long time with intellectuals of the Cultural Community of Chameria, collaborating with many writers too, Albanian artists and Bilal Xhaferri
Bilal Xhaferri
Bilal Xhaferri was an Albanian poet and novelist, and a political dissident against the Albanian communist regime. He was born in Ninat, Konispol in southern Albania, and died in Chicago, USA...
’s friends.
The result of this intellectual collaboration was the foundation of the Cultural Association “Bilal Xhaferri”, as a specialized institution that could expand cultural activity beyond Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
’s, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
’s and Macedonia’s borders, up to the United States of America, to coordinate the work with Cham League, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
’s League, Democratic League of Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
and Albanians’ League in Macedonia. The association could provide a great support for the Cham issue, to resolve this problem diplomatically.
These friends had to be even diplomats like other writers and artists who are ambassadors of their country’s culture... They became diplomatic missionaries of Albanian culture... Some friends, who joined this association, heartily helped the Cham ideal. Some of them were known intellectuals such as: Pjeter Arbnori
Pjetër Arbnori
Pjetër Filip Arbnori was an Albanian gulag survivor. He was dubbed "the Mandela of the Balkans" by Albanian statesmen because of the length of his 28 year internment. He was born in Durrës, on the Adriatic coast...
, Dritëro Agolli
Dritëro Agolli
Dritëro Agolli is an Albanian poet, writer, politician, and former president of the defunct Albanian League of Writers and Artists. He studied in Leningrad in the Soviet Union and wrote primarily poetry, but also short stories, essays, plays, and novels...
], Ismail Kadare
Ismail Kadare
Ismail Kadare is an Albanian writer. He is known for his novels, although he was first noticed for his poetry collections. In the 1960s he focused on short stories until the publication of his first novel, The General of the Dead Army. In 1996 he became a lifetime member of the Academy of Moral...
etc., and many others, not only Chams...
The Cultural Association "Bilal Xhaferri" in a short time extended its activity not only in the Cham community areas, but also in the most important cities of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, wherever Bilal Xhaferri
Bilal Xhaferri
Bilal Xhaferri was an Albanian poet and novelist, and a political dissident against the Albanian communist regime. He was born in Ninat, Konispol in southern Albania, and died in Chicago, USA...
’s friends were... This association has excellent relations with Albanian state structures, with the political spectrum, with the governing majority and the opposition parties, with young and old politicians such as: Pjeter Arbnori
Pjetër Arbnori
Pjetër Filip Arbnori was an Albanian gulag survivor. He was dubbed "the Mandela of the Balkans" by Albanian statesmen because of the length of his 28 year internment. He was born in Durrës, on the Adriatic coast...
, Ibrahim Rugova
Ibrahim Rugova
Ibrahim Rugova was an Albanian politician who was the first President of Kosovo and of its leading political party, the Democratic League of Kosovo ....
, Sali Berisha
Sali Berisha
Sali Ram Berisha is an Albanian politician and cardiologist, currently the Prime Minister of Albania and the leader of Democratic Party of Albania ....
and Fatos Nano
Fatos Nano
Fatos Thanas Nano is an Albanian economist who was Prime Minister of Albania during several periods, the first leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, and member of the Albanian Parliament from 1991 to 1996 and 1997 to 2009...
, Skënder Gjinushi
Skënder Gjinushi
Skënder Gjinushi is an Albanian politician. He graduated from the University of Tirana with a degree in Mathematics. He is the current leader of the Social Democratic Party of Albania...
, Edi Rama
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is an Albanian politician, painter, publicist, professor, and former athlete. Currently he is the leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, the biggest party in Albania , by wining the most of votes as a party in the last eight election.He has served as board member at the local Soros...
, Ilir Meta
Ilir Meta
Ilir Rexhep Meta is an Albanian politician. He is the current Deputy Prime Minister. He was Prime Minister of Albania from 1999 to 2002 and has been Foreign minister twice since then.- Studies :...
, Tahir Muhedini
Tahir Muhedini
Tahir Muhedini is the honorary president of the Party for Justice, Integration and Unity. He won a council seat in the Municipality of Tirana as a result of the 2007 local elections.-References:...
, Hashim Thaçi
Hashim Thaci
Hashim Thaçi is the Prime Minister of Republic of Kosovo, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo , and former political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army .-Early life and education:...
, Bamir Topi
Bamir Topi
Bamir Myrteza Topi is the fifth and current President of Albania since 24 July 2007. He was also Honorary President of Albanian football club KF Tirana from 2005 to 2007.-Early life and public activities:...
, Besnik Mustafaj
Besnik Mustafaj
Besnik Bajram Mustafaj is an Albanian writer and diplomat. He became foreign minister of Albania on September 11, 2005, when the government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha took office. He resigned on April 24, 2007 and was replaced by Lulzim Basha on April 25. His resignation came after strong...
etc., etc...
This association has set up good relations not only with embassies, such as: American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
embassy, but also with important personalities of world culture such as: Hillary Clinton and Doris Pack
Doris Pack
Doris Pack is a German politician and Member of the European Parliament . She served as a member of the Bundestag 1974–1983 and 1985–1989. She is a member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, part of the European People's Party...
, Miranda Vickers and James Pettifer, Marco Pannella and Callenback, Dr.Haim Reitan
Haim Reitan
Dr. Haim Nissim Reitan was born in Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, on May 20, 1946. He is a doctor, a diplomat, a translator and a publicist.- Personal life :...
, etc..
The young poets, journalists, intellectuals and politicians such as Dylbere Dika, Kostaq Myrtaj, Xhulia Xhekaj and many others have become the voice of this association, which aims to keep the Cham ideal alive.
“Eagle’s wing” magazine (Krahu i shqiponjës
Krahu i shqiponjës
Krahu i shqiponjës is an Albanian national magazine which first appeared in the democratic post-communist period, in Tirana , in 1995, in progress of Bilal Xhaferri's magazine, which was published in Chicago, USA...
), which was founded by Bilal Xhaferri
Bilal Xhaferri
Bilal Xhaferri was an Albanian poet and novelist, and a political dissident against the Albanian communist regime. He was born in Ninat, Konispol in southern Albania, and died in Chicago, USA...
in the United States of America, is the organ that continues to direct this association’s activities.... Through its writings people can learn more about Bilal Xhaferri’s figure and the big contribution he gave for Albanian culture and literature. And on May 6, 1995 Bilal Xhaferri’s remains were taken back to his homeland, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. The Albanian state and writer Shefki Hysa
Shefki Hysa
Shefki Mazar Hysa - is an Albanian writer and journalist.- Biography :He continued his elementary studies in Shalës of Konispol, Çamëri region.In 1976, he continued his studies at high school Konispol...
, the chairman of this association, played an important role in this initiative...
See also
- ChameriaChameriaChameria is a term used today mostly by Albanians for parts of the coastal region of Epirus in southern Albania and northwestern Greece It was also used by Greeks till the mid of 20th century and is frequently found in Greek literature. Today it is obsolete in Greek, surviving mainly in Greek folk...
- Cham AlbaniansCham AlbaniansCham Albanians, or Chams , are a sub-group of Albanians who originally resided in the coastal region of Epirus in northwestern Greece, an area known among Albanians as Chameria. The Chams have their own peculiar cultural identity, which is a mixture of Albanian and Greek influences as well as many...
- Chameria IssueChameria issueThe Cham issue is an issue which has been raised by Albania since the 1990s over the repatriation of the Muslim Cham Albanians, who were expelled from the Greek province of Epirus between 1944 and 1945, at the end of World War II, citing the collaboration of some of their number with the Nazis....
- Party for Justice and IntegrationParty for Justice and IntegrationParty for Justice and Integration , was a former Albanian political party that tends to represent the Cham Albanians in politics.On 17 February 2011 it is joined to Party for Justice, Integration and Unity.-Statute:...
- Cultural Association “Bilal Xhaferri”
- Homepage of Bilal Xhaferri
- Chameria, “Krahu i shqiponjës” (Eagle’s Wing)
- Homepage of Library Beta
- Homepage of ALWA
- Homepage of Bilal Xhaferri Publishing House
- Official website of Diplomatic Mission Peace and Prosperity