Event day

The dark clouds are still hovering over the whole countryside, and the rain is falling incessantly, but we are on the move.

This is the ‘big’ day that was planned by us with the help of a local humanitarian association that bears also the same last name of our cultural and educational organization. This name is revered in these areas and it refers to relatives that spent their life time at the service of the Albanian nation in the early part of the last century. In their memory, as ‘great personalities of Albanian culture’, our institutions of today aim to help the younger generations of Albanians everywhere to overcome the problems and difficulties of the past wars and oppression, and be better prepared for the future.

Four speakers address a very attentive and large audience notwithstanding the bad weather. Some came from as far away as the Adriatic Coast, and the local Albanian TV stations and newspapers taped the meeting, which was broadcasted in its entirety the following day. I am one of them and we speak about our respective organizations’ goals as a continuation of all the educational and cultural contributions made by these great people in the past. I also advocate the exploration of new horizons and cooperation to complement our effort toward the common goal of developing projects needed by the younger Albanians of today.

At the meeting’s conclusion two Albanian children, in their native costumes present the two women speakers with beautiful bouquets of flowers. A magnificent reception follows in a great hall, where the 20 large panels, we brought from Tirana, of archival documents and photographs are displayed to the public. In the midst of all this and the picture taking I am also interviewed by two local TV stations in more than one language and later on, back at the hotel, also by the local Albanian newspaper.

In the late afternoon, we visit an Albanian Ethnographic Museum, in the private home of a local photographer, who attended our event and personally extended the invitation. Again under pouring rain, we reach his house, where he was eagerly awaiting our arrival with his wife.

This middle aged couple with 3 children that are studying and working abroad, have filled a few rooms of their home with artifacts, costumes, objects, gadgets, pieces of furniture, pictures, and publications from the Albanian past. All displayed pieces are labeled, including the date of their acquisitions, and range from heavy wool, hand made, women and men costumes, to arms of various types, from ancient furniture pieces to household items made of wood and iron, from old currencies to old quilts, from agricultural instruments to even a whole wooden door from an ancient vessel.

Many beautiful enlargements (in black and white and color) of scenes and people are hanging in his studio with a big collection of books from Albanian authors, while in the middle of this room reigns very modern photographic equipment. In the hall, near the entrance, on a small shelf, a huge leather bound notebook is open ready to receive the visitors’ comments. Many dignitaries have visited this museum, and I can certainly appreciate the time and patience that it takes to collect such memorabilia.

A gesture on my part to leave a monetary contribution upon departure is appreciated, but firmly, although gently, refused. No money is accepted from people they consider ‘family’, and I certainly was considered a family member everywhere I went during this trip!

The rest of the day is spent visiting friends and relatives who are eager to host us. In communities like this it is not easy to decline invitations; everyone wants to talk to and be with you for a while.

A weather unfriendly day outside, turned out to be an extremely warm one inside!