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| Attendees at the book launch with a copy in hand |
In the premises of the "Mother Teresa" Center near the Catholic Church "Lady of Shkodra" in Hartsdale, New York, the Albanian American Community gathered to promote the book "Serbo-Montenegrin Genocide and the Occupation of Albanian Territories 1800-1999" by the author from Kosovo, Rrustem R. Berisha.
The book promotion was organized by the initiative of the two Honorary Presidents of the Albanian American Society "Skanderbeg" Inc., Mr. Bashkim Shehu and Mr. Mark Qehaja, along with the main supporter, Mr. Qemal Zylo, Honorary Member, and Faton Zogiani, former member of the Executive Board of the "Skanderbeg" Society, Diaspora Shqiptare reports.
This book presents before the world the Holocaust and the tragic fate of Albanians by Serbo-Montenegrins for two centuries. Naturally, the discussion couldn't be separated from the concerning situation in Northern Kosovo. Nevertheless, we are guided by the enlightened men of our nation, like Ibrahim Rugova, who devoted his life to Kosovo because:
"The Albanian man Ibrahim Rugova/ Walked like in legends, with a scarf around his neck/ Seeking the dreamed freedom for centuries/ Seized by barbarians, the killers of words."
In fact, the battles continue, they don't end; let us peacefully defend our lands because:
"Friends! Kosovo is my blood that won't be shed," as the Bard of Poetry, Ali Podrimja, would write!
Let us be united for the Nation!
The greeting and opening of the event were done by Mr. Bashkim Shehu, co-founder, and former Deputy Minister of Defense, who congratulated the author of the book, Mr. Berisha, as well as all the attendees who came for this important cultural and national occasion.
Presentations:
The barbarism and anti-humanism of Serbo-Montenegrins towards Albanians in the book "Serbo-Montenegrin Genocide and the Occupation of Albanian Territories 1800-1999," by the author Rrustem R. Berisha, was reported by Mr. Faton Zogiani, a successful businessman from Kosovo and a former member of the Executive Board of the Society.
The Serbo-Montenegrin Holocaust on innocent Albanian population and the current political situation in Kosovo and Albania were reported by General Asllan Bushati, a high-ranking officer in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania.
The book "Serbo-Montenegrin Genocide" is a national historical study on the Albanian tragedy for two centuries by Kozeta Zylo.
With great emotion and applause, the audience warmly welcomed a video message from Mr. Rrustem R. Berisha, the author of the book "Serbo-Montenegrin Genocide and the Occupation of Albanian Territories 1800-1999," who has worked on it for 15 consecutive years.
Mr. Ahmet Bytyqi, the parent of the fallen Bytyqi brothers for Freedom, honored with his presence and greeted the audience.
The Bytyqi brothers, Agron (23), Mehmet (21), and Ylli Bytyqi (25), were American citizens of Kosovar origin. They joined the "Atlantic Battalion" and were fighters of the KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army).
The heroic resistance of Albanians, like General Rrustem Berisha, was referred to by Mr. Hafiz Shala, a patriot and a member of the Executive Board of the Albanian American League, led by Congressman Joe Di Guardi for 31 years.
With great mastery and love, the "Dance of Tropoja" and "Kosovar Dance" were performed by the students of the Albanian School "Alba Life" under the direction of their talented and promising senior student, the artist Edona Gjidija. Students like Erza Shala, Leon Gashi, Jessica and Jonathan Ndregjoni, Klesta Xama, Laura and Ryan Leka, Ajla, Klea, and Ema Martini, among others, appeared as artists of the Folk Assembly. We are very grateful as they, along with their parents, spent these vacation days full of kindness and respect for the school and art. They brought joy and happiness, and naturally, the future belongs to them, as the blood of our fallen patriots will never be forgotten and will become their guiding light.
The values and global public awareness of the crimes against Albanians in the book "Serbo-Montenegrin Genocide and the Occupation of Albanian Territories, 1800-1999" by Rrustem R. Berisha were discussed by Mr. Mhill Velaj, a renowned writer and Chairman of the Albanian American Writers Association.
Mr. Tom Gjergji, the esteemed artist of the Diaspora, performed with culture and professionalism, dedicated to Kosovo and the Nation.
Situation in Kosovo and Albania:
After the presentations, the discussion revolved around the situation in Kosovo and Albania.
Topic: "The Albanian state should be united with the state of Kosovo for the National territories."
Mr. Mark Qehaja, Honorary Chairman of the association and co-organizer of the event, as well as a former NATO military, provided the presentation.
The current situation of emptying Albanian territories today and the internal threat were presented by Mr. Frank Shkreli, a distinguished journalist and former director of Voice of America.
Isa Brecani, a member of the Albanian American Association "Skanderbeg," performed verses from his creations and was warmly applauded.
Greetings:
Dr. Pashko Camaj, Head of the Cabinet of the Pan-Albanian Federation "Vatra," conveyed greetings on behalf of Vatra and congratulated the author Berisha, appreciating the initiators for this valuable book promotion activity.
Greetings from Prof. James E. Young, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of English and Judaic Studies at the University of Massachusetts, were read by the charming Miss Elisa Qehaja, an outstanding student at Baruch College.
With a video message, Mr. Islam Lauka, former Ambassador of Albania to Kosovo and author of several books, conveyed his greetings under the care of Mr. Drin Zogiani, who displayed the video on the screen.