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100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania

The 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania was a yearlong celebration in 2012 when Albanians celebrated the 100th anniversary of establishing independent Albania, the first Albanian state in modern history.[1][2]

100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania
Date28 November 2012 (2012-11-28)
LocationAlbania
Also known asCentennial of the Independence of Albania
ParticipantsAlbanians worldwide

Celebration

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In Albania

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The opening day of celebration was on 17 January 2012 when the solemn ceremony was organized in parliament of Republic of Albania and attended by representatives from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Preševo and Bujanovac, who were together in Albanian Parliament without any distinctions like they were together in parliament of Independent Albania 100 years earlier.[3] Most events and activities were planned to begin in October–November, and due to budgetary reasons, many other projects did not receive government funding in 2012. The Kosovo Security Force formed a special unit of 65 soldiers to participate in the military parade in Tirana on 28 November 2012, which was organized to celebrate the anniversary.[4]

 
Ceremonies being performed at the Martyrs of Nation Cemetery

The government of Albania decided to bring back the remains of the king Zog of Albania from France where he died in 1961. The remains were exhumed[5] and the return ceremony was organized on 17 November, ahead of celebrations for Albania's 100th independence anniversary.[6] The remains were placed in the reconstructed Mausoleum of the Albanian Royal Family. An exhibition of the artistic works of Agim Ramadani, a leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), was opened in the framework of the 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania and visited by prime minister Berisha.[7]

The program of celebration for 28 November includes military parade in Tirana, concerts of folk and popular music in Tirana and Vlorë, hoisting the flag by the president of the republic, laying wreaths of flowers at Ismail Qemali tomb, president's speech at a rally dedicated to the anniversary, ceremony of hoisting the flag and laying of the wreaths of flowers at the Martyrs' of the Nation Cemetery and inaugurating of the Monument of Independence.[8]

Monument, logo and TV spot

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Decorations in the Center of Tirana

The Ministry of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Youth and Sports announced on 22 December 2011 the International Competition for the accomplishment in sculpture of the monumental work dedicated to "100 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Albanian State: 28 November 1912 – 28 November 2012".[9] The project of two architects from Germany, Visar Obrija and Kai Roman Kiklas, won the award.[10] The artwork will be built in Austria at a cost of 350,000 euros. It resembles a house which is opening from isolation toward freedom.[11] On 29 June 2012 Prime Minister of Albania announced that the monument is finished and that it will be erected at the Rinia Park or near Children's Theater.[12]

Twenty five artists from Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia participated on the competition "100 Years of the Albanian State", organized to create a logo of the anniversary. On its session held on 28 November 2011 the commission unanimously decided that winner is logo whose author is Zeni Ballazhi.[13] The Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha proposed to replace words Albanian State in the original version of the motto with Independence claiming that Albanian state existed earlier in the history.[14]

The same ministry organized an international competition for TV spot dedicated to the anniversary.[15]

Notable participants

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It is announced that Prime Minister of Turkey will participate in the celebrations of the 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania.[16] Hillary Clinton promised that she will come to Tirana on the 100th anniversary of the Independence of Albania.[17] Also many other famous Albanian stars, actors, public personalities all over the world are expected in Tirana. Clinton arrived in Albania on 1 November 2012.

Notable participants on 28 November:[18]

George Ivanov president of the Republic of North Macedonia canceled his visit because of the incidents.[19] The Greek foreign minister did not attend, having cancelled after the Albanian Prime Minister made statements regarding the irredentist concept of a Greater Albania.[20]

Literature, scholarship and the arts

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Within Albania books and works of art related to Albanian history and culture were presented to the public by publishing houses, private businesses, universities, and scholars on the occasion of the 100th anniversary, including:

Outside Albania

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Celebrations in Mitrovica

Embassies of Albania all around the world organized numerous activities to celebrate 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania such as exhibitions, concerts, prayers, diplomatic receptions, various ceremonies and round tables.[24][25] In some cases events are organized not only by embassies of Albania but other institutions as well. The Leiden University Centre for Linguistics in Netherlands hosted two events on 9 and 10 November 2012: the screening of the film The Forgiveness of Blood and the public symposium "Albanian language and culture: 100 years of independence."[26][27]

In North Macedonia and Kosovo celebrations are organized by the official authorities.

Republic of Macedonia

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The Macedonian Government participated in the financing of the celebration of 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania.[28]

On 17 January 2012 in Skopje, Macedonia the construction of the Skanderbeg Square had started.[29] On 8 May 2012 the municipality of Tetovo established the organisational council responsible for the celebration and prepared some activities under motto "100 years without Albania" (Albanian: 100 vite pa Shqipërinë).[30]

The historians in Macedonia believe that the Macedonian Government did not have any right, obligation nor reason to celebrate independence of the neighboring country, let alone to finance such celebrations.[31]

The central celebration of 100 years of Albania was held in Skopje on 25 November 2012 in Boris Trajkovski Sports Center.[32] It was attended by around 20,000 people including prime ministers of Albania and Kosovo.[33] On the same day in Skopje was organized the Eagles' March during which ethnic Albanians wearing red and black clothes marched with flags of Albania through Skopje while some Macedonian politicians opposed these kinds of celebrations because of the danger of fueling ethnic tensions.[34][35] Several incidents occurred including burning the Macedonian flag in Čair municipality of Skopje predominantly populated with Albanians while several children of allegedly Macedonian ethnicity were beaten by a group of 30 people, the police has not commented on their ethnicity.[36]

Kosovo

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Isa Boletini statue in the centre of Mitrovica, Kosovo inaugurated during the 100th anniversary of the independence of Albania.

Rita Ora[A] plans to sing a few songs in Kosovo to celebrate this anniversary after being invited by the president of the Republic of Kosovo.[37]

South Serbia

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The centenary of Albania was also celebrated in Preševo and Bujanovac, two municipalities of southern Serbia with substantial Albanian population. The program included a scientific conference about "Albanian national movement in Preševo valley", opening of a museum dedicated to Ridvan Qazimi and numerous political, cultural and sport events.[38] Flags of Albania will be hoisted on the local parliaments buildings, one hundred children will form number 100 with their bodies and local politicians will first hold speeches from the house which is replica of the house in Vlorë in which the independence of Albania was declared. Against the invitation of the president of Albania they will together travel to Tirana to attend central celebration.[38]

Notes

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  1. ^
    A British singer-songwriter and actress whose parents are Albanians from Kosovo.

References

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  1. ^ Topi, Bamir (31 December 2011). "The address of President Topi to the Nation on New Year's Eve". Albanian National News Agency. Tirana, Albania. Albanian National News Agency. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2012. The year 2012, dear Albanians, is the most beautiful historic year. The 100th anniversary of the Independence of Albania
  2. ^ Sokalski, Henryk J (2003). An ounce of prevention: North Macedonia and the UN experience in preventive diplomacy. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press. p. 60. ISBN 9781929223466. The first Albanian state in modern history emerged in 1912.
  3. ^ "100th anniversary of independence". Albania: TOP Channel Shqip. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012. The Albanian Parliament opened with a solemn ceremony the 100th year of Albania's independence. January 17th was chosen as the opening day for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of independence, since it is the day when the Albanian National hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu died, who symbolizes the unification of all Albanians...Representatives from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Presheva and Bujanovci were present in the Albanian Parliament, without partial distinctions, together, as six centuries ago and as 100 years ago,..
  4. ^ Brajshori, Muhamet. "KSF participating in Albania celebrations". SETimes. Retrieved 24 November 2012. A Kosovo Security Force unit will march in the military parade in Tirana on November 28th to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Albania's independence....Sixty-five soldiers have already been chosen to participate in the Tirana parade, he said.
  5. ^ Remains of King Zog repatriated from France to Albania. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  6. ^ Albania to bring home exiled king's remains Archived 3 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  7. ^ "The exhibit of a hero, Berisha: Agim Ramadani, an eminent patriot". Albanian Screen. 14 November 2012. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2013. PM Berisha attended the opening of the exhibit of painter Agim Ramadani, Hero of Kosovo, killed in the war in Koshare in 1999. This exhibit opened in the framework of the 100th anniversary of Independence
  8. ^ "PM Berisha: Centenary Independence Day, an occasion to honour the fallen for freedom". Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania. 14 November 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  9. ^ Republic of Albania, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports; National Gallery of Arts (2011). "Competition announcement" (PDF). Republic of Albania, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports; National Gallery of Arts. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012. Today, on 23.12.2011, in reliance on the Order of the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports No 289, dated 22.12.2011 on "Announcement of competition for the accomplishment in sculpture the monumental work dedicated to the "100 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Albanian State: 28 November 1912 – 28 November 2012".
  10. ^ Besar, Likmeta (25 April 2012). "Munich Architects to Build Albania's Centennial Memorial". Tirana. Balkan Insight. Retrieved 24 November 2012. Two Germany-based architects, Visar Obrija and Kai Roman Kiklas, have won the award to build a memorial commemorating the hundredth anniversary of Albania's independence.
  11. ^ Besar, Likmeta (25 April 2012). "Munich Architects to Build Albania's Centennial Memorial". Tirana. Balkan Insight. Retrieved 24 November 2012. Albania's Minister of Culture, Aldo Bumci, praised the project of the two architects, who are based in Munich, saying it was inspired by Albania's traditional architecture. "The opening of the house symbolizes the liberation of Albania, from isolation toward freedom, looking toward the future," he noted.
  12. ^ "Berisha: Decent celebration of 100th year of independence". Top Channel. 29 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Shpallet fituesi i logos "100 Vjet Shtet Shqiptar"". Ema.al. 29 December 2011. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  14. ^ Logo of 100th anniversary of Independence, Albania: Top Channel, 2012, archived from the original on 7 April 2014, retrieved 26 November 2012, Berisha suggested changing the term "100 years of Albanian state", with the argument that the Albanian state has existed even before in the history. He suggested changing it to "100 years of independence".
  15. ^ "MTCYS announces the International Competition for the production of TV spot dedicated to: "100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania" (1912–2012)". Website of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports of the Republic of Albania. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  16. ^ "23d of April, the Day of National Sovereignty and Children's Festival celebrated in Tirana". "Yunus Emre" Turkish Cultural Center in Tirana. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  17. ^ "Prime Minister's Office uncovers meeting, Clinton: In Tirana on 100th Anniversary of Independence". Albanian Screen. 26 April 2012. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012. US State Secretary, Hillary Clinton promised Prime Minister Sali Berisha that she will come to Tirana on the 100th Anniversary of Independence.
  18. ^ Europa ‘bojkoton’ 100 vjetorin: vetëm disa ballkanas dhe hungarezi Viktor Orban nga të ftuarit VIP Archived 29 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine, ResPubcliaca, 25 November 2012 (in Albanian)
  19. ^ "Stogodišnjica nezavisnosti Albanije". Retrieved 28 November 2012. Makedonski predsednik Đorđe Ivanov otkazao je najavljeno učešće na sutrašnjoj proslavi 100. godišnjice nezavisnosti Albanije u Tirani zbog nedavnih incidenata prilikom posete makeodnskog premijera Tirani, kada je, pored ostalog, spaljena i makedonska zastava.
  20. ^ Foreign Minister Avramopoulos cancels visit to Albania, Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 28 November 2012. Greek media: Berisha, irredentist Archived 7 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Top Channel, 29 November 2012
  21. ^ Illyria 31 August – 3 September 2012. The Siege of Shkodra, pp. 8-10
  22. ^ "Ilir Ikonomi botoi librin "Pavarësia"". 8 November 2012.
  23. ^ "Paradë madhështore e Forcave të Armatosura Shqiptare". Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  24. ^ "Programme of Events celebrating 100 Years of Independence". Embassy of Albania in UK. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  25. ^ "100th Anniversary of Independence, celebration in Albanian embassies". 18 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2012. The Albanian embassies started organizing different activities for the 100th Anniversary of Independence.
  26. ^ "Symposium Albanian language and culture: 100 years of independence". Leiden University Centre for LinguisticsHumanities. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  27. ^ "Video registration of "Albanian language and culture: 100 years of independence"". ALB FACT. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  28. ^ Trajkovska, Mariela (16 January 2012), Македонија ќе ја финансира 100-годишнината од независна Албанија [Macedonia will finance 100th Anniversary of Independent Albania] (in Macedonian), Dnevnik Online, archived from the original on 7 August 2012, retrieved 7 August 2012, Македонската Влада ќе учествува во финансирањето на прославата на 100-годишнината од независноста на Албанија
  29. ^ "Поставен камен-темелник на плоштадот Скендер-бег во Скопје" (in Macedonian). Skopje: Dnevnik Onlinee. 17 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012. На 100-годишнината на денот на знамето и независноста на албанското знаме, како и на годишнина од смртта на албанскиот принц Скендер-бег, Општина Чаир удри камен-темелник за изградба на истоимениот плоштад...Изградбата на плоштадот е со инвестиција од Владата на Република Македонија.
  30. ^ "Starts the project "100 years without Albania"". Municipality of Tetovo. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012. On Tuesday in municipality of Tetova, was held a conference on occasion of beginning of celebrations for 100th anniversary of Albanian country establishment. Some activities will accompany this important event of Albanians under of Moto "100 years without Albania". This project was supported by municipality of Tetovo
  31. ^ Trajkovska, Mariela (16 January 2012), Македонија ќе ја финансира 100-годишнината од независна Албанија [Macedonia will finance 100th Anniversary of Independent Albania] (in Macedonian), Dnevnik Online, archived from the original on 7 August 2012, retrieved 7 August 2012, Историчарите се децидни дека македонската Влада нема никакво право, обврска и нема зошто да прославува независност на соседна држава, а уште помалку да финансира такви манифестации.
  32. ^ "Skoplje: Sto godina Albanije". Beta. Retrieved 26 November 2012. Skoplje – Manifestacija je održana u euforičnoj atmosferi u prepunoj dvorani "Boris Trajkovski", najvećoj u Makedoniji, u kojoj je bilo oko 20.000 ljudi.
  33. ^ "Skoplje: Sto godina Albanije". Beta. Retrieved 26 November 2012. Skoplje – Premijeri Kosova i Albanije, Hašim Tači i Salji Beriša, prisustvovali su centralnoj proslavi 100-godišnjice albanske države i Dana albanske zastave u Skoplju.
  34. ^ "Albania s Independence Day Flares Ethnic Tensions in Macedonia". Novinite. BGNES. Retrieved 26 November 2012. An "Eagles' March," organized by ethnic Albanians, is taking place in Skopje Sunday with participants wearing the Albanian national flag colors – red and black.
  35. ^ Testorides, Konstantin (2012). "Macedonia: Minority marks Albanian independence". The State. Associated Press. Retrieved 26 November 2012. Some politicians have opposed such celebrations, saying they could stoke ethnic tensions in Macedonia.
  36. ^ "Albania s Independence Day Flares Ethnic Tensions in Macedonia". Novinite. BGNES. Retrieved 26 November 2012. ... in the capital Skopje in the eve of the Centenary of Albania s independence ... a large group of young people has taken down the Macedonian flag in the Skopje district Chair populated by ethnic Albanians and burned it ..... A few hours later a group of around 30 people attacked and beat up several children ... local media have reported that the attacked children were Macedonian while the attackers were ethnic Albanians.
  37. ^ "Rita Ora is planning a concert in Kosovo". m-magazine.org. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  38. ^ a b "Albanske zastave na jugu Srbije". B92. TANJUG. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
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