A street in the Bronx neighborhood in New York was named after the Albanian national hero “Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu”. This event gathered a large number of participants of the Albanian-American community, who on this historic day celebrated on Skanderbeg Street with songs and dances.
Among the guests of this event was the founder of the Foundation “Fundjavë Ndryshe”, Arbër Hajdari, who in his greeting speech noted the generosity of Albanians, and their contribution to various causes. It seems like a mission who has been entrusted by their ancestors, and their unsparing help has made us proud, differentiating ourselves from other peoples.
Arbër Hajdari expressed his gratitude for the solidarity and humane spirit shown by the Albanians who work and live in the USA, to help all those who are in poverty. Between the lines, the executive director of the “Fundjavë Ndryshe” Foundation, underlined that this historic event will serve as a source of inspiration for all Albanians, but also as a call to reflect.
This will remain as an important event in the Albanian-American community, which continues its patriotic activity with the same vivacity and dedication as previous generations. Herein the Albanian identity in the USA is kept alive and enriched.
In addition to the “Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu” street, another street in New York was named after the famous Albanian poet and diplomat “Fan Noli” earlier. The street bears the name of the bright figure of the Albanian nation, Fan Noli.
The full speech of the executive director of the “Fundjavë Ndryshe” Foundation, Arbër Hajdari:
– Honorable Mayor of New York Mr. Eric Adams!
Hello Albanians!
My dear brother Mark Gjonaj, brother and friend of all Albanians in the US, supporter, helper, organizer, you who were the starting point, the creator of this event, I take this opportunity to thank you.
After your invitation, I took a flight and came from the land of Skanderbeg, here among you, to the great-grandchildren of Gjergj Kastriot, in this street that today takes its name, in the land of freedom.
Coming here reminded me of his words.
* I found freedom among you *
There is no other possibility, that freedom is undoubtedly found and above all, in the champion of freedom, in the USA.
Dear friends!
There is no lacking in the desire to speak for our national hero in any of us and there is no doubt that everyone would tirelessly list his contributions to freedom and Western civilization.
We have our struggle, which continues unabated, which inspires and obliges us to work tirelessly, to make our beloved Albania and the Albanian nation to walk alongside the most developed countries of the West, led by the USA, our greatest friend.
The “Fundjavë Ndryshe” Foundation, which I have the honor and responsibility to lead, feels proud, because a large part of the contributions to the realization of our causes, have come precisely from the Albanians who work and live in the US.
So I take this opportunity to publicly thank you for your solidarity and humane spirit, which you have shown to help your brothers and sisters in poverty in all our lands.
You, the Albanians of America, are the example of unity, the successful model of work, sacrifice and contribution to the homeland!
I feel very delighted, that every day and more, you are best implementing one of the guidelines of our national hero Gjergj Kastriot, that of union!
The time has come for Albanians, regardless of the country where they live, regardless of their political and religious beliefs, to come together not to forget the obligations we have for our homeland, Albania!
Although among us, there are some of them that try to break one by one the united twigs of Skanderbeg, I am convinced that they will not succeed, as we are more than them. We are the majority.
The time has come when people should take ACTION – NOT JUST WORDS!
I wish that this historic event serves as a source of inspiration for all Albanians, but also as a call to reflect, mainly for all those who lead our people in the lands where Albanians live, not to forget, the legacies of our national hero and all the other heroes of the Albanian Nation.
Honorable Mayor Mr. Eric Adams,
Today you are with the great-grandchildren of Gjergj Kastriot, who have these three outstanding qualities:
- Bravery
- Loyalty
- They are the bearers of the word.
You are from today, part of our family. Thank you for the honor you have done us. We feel thankful and proud that you are between us and with us.
To keep it short, I am closing my speech with three of the last guidelines that our National Hero said in words and did in deeds:
“No one can beat you if you are united,
Take care of children and youth,
Love the homeland as an eagle loves the nest.”
God bless and preserve the friendship of Albanians with the USA.
Thank you all!