Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Massacres against the Chameria Population: Arben Llalla's New Book Unveils the Albanian Contribution to Greece
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the massacres against the Albanian population of Chameria from the Greeks, Arben Llalla's latest publication, "Arvanites, the Founders of the New Greece," was presented this Monday, shedding light on the historical narrative often overshadowed by Greek myths.
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The Chameria Association, amidst the series of events marking the anniversary, turned its focus to the Arbereshe communities in Greece, highlighting the significance of Llalla's book in redefining the historical discourse. According to Liljan Idrizaj, the chairman of the Chameria Patriotic Association, Llalla's work presents factual evidence challenging the Greek narrative that Albanians, including Arbereshe, Arban, and Chams, are recent migrants. Instead, the book traces their roots in Greece back to the 9th to 13th centuries.
"The book by Llalla speaks with facts; it presents a different version of Greek history, emphasizing that Albanian Arbereshe, Arban, Chams, etc., are ancient inhabitants who have been in Greece for centuries," expressed Liljan Idrizaj.
The presence of scholars, political figures, and other key personalities during the presentation emphasized the crucial role of Arvanites in Greece's independence, as illuminated by Llalla's book.
"According to the book, 90 out of 100 heroes of that time were Albanian Arvanites, and the Arvanitika language was an old Albanian dialect. Llalla elaborates further in the book about the Greek fleet regulations in the Albanian language and how academicians, prime ministers, presidents, etc., have been formed by Albanians, including Arvanites, Chams, Epirotes, in other words, by Albanians," added Idrizaj.
The author himself shared insights into the genesis of his research, recounting his journey of gathering materials in Greece, where he had immigrated like many other Albanians.
"I had migrated to Greece like many Albanians, but Dritëro Agolli connected me with the scholar Aristidh Kola, and since then, I began to collect these materials," recounted the author Arben Balla.
He further narrated his extensive study of Arvanites in Greece during the years 1993-2004.
"In the early 2000s, after I had collected some materials, I wanted to gift them to the Academy since I was very young. The secretary at that time replied, saying they already had them. After this, I met the Cham scholar Ibrahim Hoxha, and he told me: 'You have two paths, either to hand them over to the Greek Embassy for a few coins, and they bury them seven fathoms deep, or to keep them, enrich them, study them, and why not, have them published.' This is how my journey as a scholar began," continued Llalla.
The book is now translated into Greek and English, appreciated for its contribution by figures like Shpëtim Idrizi, a member of the Albanian parliament.
"Llalla has been a strong voice through his publications and writings, as states with massive propaganda often distort significant truths," remarked Shpëtim Idrizi of the Albanian Democratic Ideal Party.
Publications like this, as he mentioned, serve as bridges between Albania and Greece, fostering understanding and reconciliation.
"This book also serves to invite Greece to see all these Albanian figures who fought for Greece's Independence as common bridges, not as Greece often perceives them, as walls and barriers that fuel racism," added Idrizi.
The Chameria Association pledges to continue commemorating the genocide against the Chameria population through further activities, ensuring that the memory remains alive and serves as a reminder for justice and reconciliation.