Predecessor | Besa-Besën Flamuri i Krujës Shoqëria Kombëtare Dallandyshja |
---|---|
Formation | 28 April 1912 |
Headquarters | Bronx, NY |
President | Elmi Berisha Elected on 01/20/2020 |
Key people | Fan Noli, Faik Konica |
Main organ | Dielli |
Website |
Vatra (English: The Hearth) is an association of Albanian Americans, created in 1912, that has historically protected the rights of the Albanians in the United States, as well as has endeavored in lobbying with the United States Congress about the rights of the Albanians throughout the world. [1]
The first meeting to bring together all the Albanian American organizations into one federation took place on December 24, 1911, in Boston. This meeting was called with the initiative of the "Besa-Besën" association. In these meetings were present: Faik Konica, Fan Noli, Kristo Floqi, Marko Adams, and Paskal Aleksi. The meetings continued until 28 April 1912, when Vatra was officially founded. The official records of the unity commission cites: "We call as formed the Pan Albanian Federation of America by the following associations: "Besa-Besë", "Flamuri i Krujës-Kruja Flag", "Shoqërisë Kombëtare-National Association", "Mirëbërësja", and "Skënderbeut". "Dallandyshja" and "Malli i Mëmëdheut" were not present but conformed with the proceedings. [2] In this historic meeting, a temporary board is named and its members are: Secretary - Fan Noli, Treasurer - Llambi Chikozi, "Dielli" Manager - Kristo Kirka, Federation Branch Managers: Faik Konica and Kristo Floqi. "Dielli" Newspaper Supervisors: Paskal Aleksi, Elia Tromara and Kosta Vasili. [3]
Vatra was recognized by the Massachusetts state and received its certificate on June 13, 1912. The original certificate shows these names: Faik Koniça, Lambi Chikozi, Fan S. Noli, Kristo Floqi, Elia Tromara, Naum Cere, and Kosta Kotta. [3] Prominent following members who would join later would be Constantin Anastas Chekrezi, and Pani brothers from Dardhë.
Considering the political vacuum in Albania during the World War I, Vatra somehow functioned and was considered a kind of Albanian government in-exile. [4] Vatra sent Noli and Konica in Europe to advocate and defend Albanian national demands. They remained in Europe until the war ended. Meanwhile, Kol Tromara became acting-chairman and main figure. [5] During these turbulent years, VATRA gained influence and "Dielli" newspaper was published daily under Constantin Anastas Chekrezi's supervision. Vatra would perform a lobbying campaign during the Paris Peace Conference, 1919 trying to influence mostly the decision of the American delegation. Christo Dako would join the Albanian delegation in 1919. Meanwhile, Mihal Turtulli and Mehmed Konica would be very active in negotiating with Italians regarding the creation of an Albanian Privision Government and preparing the Congress of Durrës in 1918. [6]
Vatra held a fundraising convention on December 29, 1918, led by Anastas Pandele, with the goal of supporting the Albanian delegation at the Peace Conference. Albanian emigrants throughout US raised a sum of $150,000 of which the greatest part was sent to Vatra's delegates to Paris. [7]
Vatra would build the foundation of the new Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, which would thrive independence from the Church of Constantinople and repel further Greek influence towards Albanian orthodox population. Core members like Fan Noli and Faik Konica, would be involved in politics and administration of the newly created Albanian state, with Fan Noli leading the unsuccessful June Revolution. Noli would resume its position after returning in US. Agim Karagjozi would take over after Noli's death.
The headquarters would move from Boston, MA, to Bronx, NY, in the 90s. Today, Vatra's influence is very minimal and mostly symbolic, while there are controversies regarding the political affiliations of today's organization. [8]
Vatra is unified with the Albanian American history. Its contribution to Albanian national cause, and state building has made Vatra the symbol of Albanian Nationalism and patriotism.
Vatra has published historically two magazines, Dielli, and The Adriatic Review. "Dielli" is still being published today, after a period of interruption.
Turhan Përmeti was an Albanian politician and statesman who served as the second prime minister of Albania, serving from March 1914 to September 1914 and from December 1918 to January 1920. He was also in service of the Ottoman state and held the title of Pasha of the Ottoman Empire.
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Thanas Floqi was an Albanian educator and patriot, and one of the signatories of the Albanian Declaration of Independence.
Sami Bey Vrioni (1876–1947) was an Albanian politician, diplomat, and a delegate at the Assembly of Vlora which declared the Albanian Declaration of Independence. He was a respected and powerful landowner in the Fier region of Albania.
Mehmed Konica, was an Albanian politician. He served three times as the Foreign Minister of Albania. He was the brother of Albanian writer Faik Konica.
Kristo Dako (1880–1941), son of Anastas Dako, was an Albanian patriot, author and educator of the early 20th century.
The Albanian Congress of Trieste was a congress of Albanians held in Trieste, Austria-Hungary in the period between 27 February – 6 March 1913, organized by Faik Konica and Sotir Kolea with strong support from the Austrian authorities.
The Congress of Durrës was a conference of Albanian political leaders, held from December 25 to December 27, 1918, in Durrës, at the time capital of the Principality of Albania.
Costa Chekrezi, also known as Constantin Anastas Chekrezi was an Albanian patriot, historian, and publicist.
The Adriatic Review was a monthly periodical published in Boston by Vatra from September 1918 until October 1919. In September 1918, Fan Noli founded the English-language monthly Adriatic Review which was financed by the Pan-Albanian federation to spread information about Albania and its cause.
Foqion Postoli was an Albanian novelist and playwright best known for his novel, Flower of Remembrance.
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The Congress of Berat, also known as the Albanian Orthodox Congress, was a meeting held on 13 September 1922, in Berat, Albania, among Albanian Orthodox faithful. The congress decided the autocephaly of the Church of Albania. According to the decisions of the Congress, religious services could be held in the Albanian language.
Kristo Floqi was an Albanian patriot, playwright, politician, and lawyer.
Dielli is a newspaper published in the United States by Vatra, the Pan-Albanian Federation of America.
Besa-Besën was an organization of Albanian emigrants in Boston, Massachusetts.
Kristo Kirka was an Albanian patriot, diplomat, politician, and activist. He is one of the most contributing figures of the Albanian national cause.
Mihal Turtulli Bey, also known as Michail Tourtoulis or Dr. Turtulli, was an Albanian oculist, politician, member of the High Council of State, and representative of Albania at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.
Kol Tromara (1882–1945) was an Albanian nationalist and political figure of the first half of the 20th century.
Faik Bey Konica was an important figure in Albanian language and culture in the early decades of the twentieth century. As the Albanian minister to Washington, D.C., his literary review Albania became the focal publication of Albanian writers living abroad. Faik Konica wrote little in the way of literature, but he was an influential stylist, critic, publicist and political figure in Albanian culture.
http://illyriapress.com/pse-une-e-perkrah-komisionin-e-5-tetorit-2019-te-vatres/ http://illyriapress.com/komisioni-i-5-tetorit-shkelje-te-renda-ne-federaten-vatra-te-largohet-kryetari/