Vatra, the Pan-Albanian Federation of America
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]
Foundation
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
World War I and the Peace Conference
Considering the political vacuum in Albania during the World War I, Vatra somehow functioned and was considered a kind of Albanian government in-exile.
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]
New Albanian state and afterwards
Vatra would build the foundation of the new
The headquarters would move from
Legacy
Vatra is unified with the
Publications
Vatra has published historically two magazines, Dielli, and The Adriatic Review. "Dielli" is still being published today, after a period of interruption.
References
- ISBN 9789994336722.
- ^ Cilat ishin 150 shoqëritë shqiptare që u formuan në SHBA, Tirana Observer, 27 May 2015 (in Albanian)
- ^ a b History, Vatra Federation, retrieved 2013-10-07
- ISBN 978-0810861886
- OCLC 8267885
- ^ Kongresi i Durrësit, 25 dhjetor 1918 [Congress of Durres, Dec 25 1918] (in Albanian), Gazeta Republika, 2012-12-27, retrieved 2013-12-15
- ISBN 978-1845110130. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
- ^ Gary Q. Kokalari (2012-04-28), Vatra që nderon Berishën nuk është Vatra e Fan Nolit [Vatra which honors Berisha is not the Vatra of Noli] (in Albanian), Respublika, retrieved 2013-10-07
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/