Celebration

Last evening N.A.A.C. (National Albanian American Council) celebrated its 10^th anniversary at the annual dinner that took place at the huge Cipriani restaurant in the midst of  busy 42^nd Street in Manhattan . 

The Executive Director and dinner MC; Avni Mustafaj

It was an eventful and festive affair attended by several dignitaries from both sides of the Atlantic (including politicians from Kosova, Albania, and Macedonia),  and a large crowd of Albanian Americans that also traveled long distances to participate in it. 

The main speaker was Mr. Soren Jessen-Petersen, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN Mission in Kosova, who was presented the “Hands of Hope Award” for his historic role in enhancing the lives of the Albanian people in the Balkans and for his outstanding contribution towards Kosova’s independence.

A special “Lifetime Achievement Award” was given to Mr. Bruno Selimaj, who dedicated himself to the Albanian cause for almost 30 years of his life in NY, where his midtown restaurant has been the hub and host of countless Albanian activities throughout.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Selimaj

A White House representative recognized also several other Albanian activists that were awarded the 2006 Presidential Service Award, established by Pres. Bush in January 2003 to honor Americans that commit lots of their time as volunteers in civic participations, and I feel privileged to be now among them.  

A ½ hour video presentation at the end of the dinner celebrated Albanian American Heritage with a wonderful collage of pictures of first comers to these shores since the early 1900’s. Their lives and activities spanned over all sorts of work and fields, from restaurateurs to lawyers, from film makers to construction and real estate businessmen, from artists to clergymen, and even astronauts. Some of their children and grandchildren were present last evening, and proud of their successes, loudly applauded  with the rest of us.

The evening entertainment included the national anthems by a wonderful Albanian soprano (Lindita Lole Mezini), songs by a popular singer (Mariza Ikonomi), remarks by a beautiful young Hollywood actress (Eliza Dushku), who, while rediscovering her Albanian origins, had the national emblem (the double headed eagle) tattooed on her neck while in Albania recently, and finally floor dancing for everyone with a DJ. 

I was privileged to be sitting with some VIPs that included a Macedonian Minister, the Albanian Representative to the UN, and the newly appointed Albanian Ambassador to Washington DC and his wife and son.  Overall, a truly delightful, and swollen with pride, evening!

Ambassador Sallabanda and family