“As an historian I have made efforts to contribute in this direction. You have your legendary hero Skanderbeg. Probably Croatia would not have existed in face of Ottoman invaders. We, Croatians, are very grateful to Skanderbeg’s deeds. Therefore we feel as an obligation to help Albania for its integration in the European institutions. I would like to note the cooperation of our two countries in the framework of NATO as we are members of that Alliance. We wish that Albania can join European Union as soon as possible,” said Professor Karlo Lisica from the School of Zadar
By Genc Mlloja
“When I was on top of the ancient castle of Shkodra, I was stunned by the breathtaking view of the city. It was there and then that I had the feeling of being from Shkodra. And tears rolled down my face,” confessed Ms. Jasmina Matesic, Director of School in Zadar, Croatia.
I met Ms. Matesic and some of her colleagues on Thursday (April 25, 2019) in Durres city which was part of the tour that a group of Arbanasi teachers and pupils of the school of Zadar made in Albania this week. The first leg of the visit was the northern city of Shkodra, where they were received by the Mayor, Voltana Ademi. Then they visited Kruja, northwestern Albania, and the castle of Gjergj Kastrioti-Skanderbeg, and after Durres their program included a visit to Berat, southern Albania, from where they were to leave on a visit to Kosovo.
They revealed that the initiative for such a visit was a promise by President Ilir Meta when he visited their school in Zadar last November accompanied by the Croatian President Kolina Grabar-Kitarovic. “When you have time take two buses and come to Albania,” Mr. Meta was quoted by Ms. Matesic as telling them. “And here we are!”
The Croatian coastal town of Zadar started Albanian classes in a school designed in part to keep the tiny Arbanasi community aware of their distant Albanian origins in October 2016.
The Arbanasi, or Albanians of Zara are a community in the Zadar region, Croatia, of Albanian origin, who traditionally speak a dialect of Gheg Albanian, according to data provided by Wickepedia. Their name means Albanians in Croatian and is the toponymy of the first Arbanasi settlement in the region, which today is a suburb of Zadar. Albanians of Croatia are an autochthonous national minority recognized by the Constitution of Croatia. As such, they elect a special representative to the Croatian Parliament, shared with members of four other national minorities. In the 2011 Croatian census, there were 17,513 Albanians living in Croatia, 0.41% of total population. The Albanians in Croatia come from various historical periods, in Middle Ages existed in coastal cities or mostly assimilated with Vlachs, in the 17th and 18th century happened Arbanasi migration, and in modern time came as seasonal workers or war refugees.
Albanian President Ilir Meta received the group of the Arbanasi of Zadar of Croatia on April 24 this year as they were on a visit to Albania at his invitation. On that occasion the President evaluated the excellent contribution made by the Albanian community in Croatia for the strengthening of the excellent historical, cultural, political and human relations between the two people and countries. He told them how happy he was of their visit to Albania as he still remembered their hospitality in Zadar when he was there accompanied by the Croatian counterpart, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. President Meta thanked also the Croatian Ambassador, Sanja Bujas-Juraga who was present in the meeting in Tirana.
“You, Albanasi of Zadar, but the Albanian community in general that live in Croatia, are the strongest human factor uniting our people,” he told the guests. In the meantime he pointed out that the relations of Albania with Croatia are an exceptional priority, and he was convinced that the bilateral relations would strengthen after the signing of the Agreement on the Strategic Partnership.
‘Pleasant surprise’
“I thank and greet warmly President of Albania Ilir Meta and we will never forget the hospitality shown to us. I have to call all this a pleasant surprise,” said Ms. Jasmina Matesic, Director of School where Albanian is taught in Zadar, Croatia.
Speaking of her impressions on Albania she said that it is evident a development of infrastructure, people are extremely friendly and hospitable. “We could not see much during these few days. But this will not be the first and last visit. We will come again to visit other parts of Albania which we could not see on this occasion. I feel sorry that I cannot speak Albanian. But, anyway, I understand when it is spoken. As a matter of fact, we are not guilty; our parents are to be blamed because we have spoken Albanian only within the family until late.”
In a comment on the relations between Croatia and Albania she was of the opinion that they have gained momentum during the last years winning the lost time. “The opening of the Albanian School of Zadar has played a special role as a first step which will be followed by other activities.”
Matesic’s predecessors had not ‘mixed’ their blood with the local people but only with Arbanasi. “I am proud that we have preserved the pure blood for some 300 years,” Ms. Matesic said not hiding how proud she was for this. “Actually, such families are rare. One of the key elements which has preserved our autochthony, traditions and heritage is the link with the church where meetings between Arbanasi have been the basis for the preservation of our legacy.”
She spoke of the expected cooperation with the city of Shkodra where they met the Mayor, Voltana Ademi. “We have made a positive step with regard to frequent visits of our pupils. However, we are thinking of other activities in the field of culture and sports between Zadar and Shkodra.”
In the meantime, the Director introduced the professor of history Karlo Lisica who was part of the group and took part in our conversation. She said that Mr. Lisica had done a good job by speaking on Albania and Kosovo and also he has studied Albanian historical aspect.
She recalled the first visit of a group of students two years ago when because of prejudges on Albania only two or three teachers accompanied the group. Teacher Lisica was one of those who insisted to visit Albania and Kosovo despite any prejudges. “Our school has a staff of 80 teachers and all of them asked him how he spent the time in Albania and Kosovo. The same question was made to him after the second visit. But he described Albania and Kosovo in the best way showing the reality.”
“I am Arbanas, and I am struck by the hospitality shown to us in Albania. I doubted what we were going to see in Albania and how we will be received. But I am greatly surprised by the hospitality. To be frank, we have not expected such a wonderful reception,” said professor Rosana Discordia Knezevic. She gave details of her Albanian family roots and writers, sportsmen and other intellectuals originated from it. She underscored that the late Academician, Aleksandar Stipcevic (October 10, 1930- September 1, 2015) an archeologist, bibliographer, librarian and historian, who specialized in the study of the Illyrians, had the roots in her family. Stipvcevic magnum opus is the 1974 book Iliri (“the Illyrians”), which has been translated into English, Italian and Albanian.
‘President Meta loves his people and Albania, but he also loves Croatia’
It has been kept alive and vivid in Matesic’s mind the visit of President Ilir Meta to their school last November when he paid a visit to the Arbanasi community accompanied by his Croatian counterpart Kitarovic. She remembered the media articles on the expected visit.
“Presidents go mainly to capitals and main cities on their visits. But Mr. Meta selected Zadar because of Arbanasi community. We were also informed that President Meta would visit our school. The reason is that Albanian is taught in the school every Saturday. In fact this decision has been a great success, a very great event,” she said, adding that all were very active to make preparations before the visit. “When he came we organized a manifestation in two languages- Croatian and Albanian. We invited the kids who learn Albanian and their families. As a matter of fact we had an exciting time and at the end of the visit he told us that we – pupils and teachers – could come to visit Albania by two buses. The organization of the visit was perfect and here we are.”
Further on she recalled that all the 80 teachers of the school saw Albanian President and some like her had the opportunity to meet and talk with him. “All shared the same thought – Mr. Meta is a gentleman, very wise, and determined leader, but also very much educated. He is an extraordinary president and you are lucky to have such a president,” Director Matesic said during the talk.
Further on she said: “We realized that he loves his people, but he also loves Croatia in general, has a high respect for our President. It is apparent that he is dedicated to the relations between the two countries and their progress so that they can become closer.”
History Professor on Croatian-Albanian Relations
“I am very pleased by the progress and development of our two countries and the cooperation between them,” noted the Professor of History, Karlo Lisica, who had studied Albanian history since the time of Illyrians until now.
“We have many friendly links with pupils from Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia. If we see the past, many common things can be noted. And I think that the Croatian and Albanian presidents have found the key to connect our two people more closely,” he said, pledging that the school would make its modest contribution in this respect. “It is of special importance the cooperation in the field of education of our children. And let it become a traditional thing starting with the cooperation in schools and other fields.”
Professor Lisica was of the opinion that the more children are engaged in learning Albanian the more fruitful and successful the cooperation will be. Asked how Albanian youth could learn more on Albanasi and their community, he saw the possibility in the exchange of visits of the younger generation.
According to the Professor, Croatia backed Albania in all fields. “As an historian I have made efforts to contribute in this direction. You have your legendary hero Skanderbeg. Probably Croatia would not have existed in face of Ottoman invaders. We, Croatians, are very grateful to Skanderbeg’s deeds. Therefore we feel as an obligation to help Albania for its integration in the European institutions. I would like to note the cooperation of our two countries in the framework of NATO as we are members of that Alliance. We wish that Albania can join European Union as soon as possible.”
In conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Lisica said: “I am very much impressed by Albanians and Albania. So I have decided to attend the course of the Albanian language at our school.”
‘Albanians are hard-working people’
The Professor of Physics, Domagoj Baresic was Croatian; he was not Albanas, but he was part of the group visiting Albania. “This has been the first opportunity given to me and I did not miss it. I came to Albania,” he said being pleased of such an event.
Further on he said: “I did not know anything on Albania and its history and culture before. But I have seen here the warmth of this country, its hospitality and generous people. Now I have the impression that Albanians are hard-working people and I saw many of them working during the trip. But I notice that you should have a better and concrete urban plan because such a thing increases the identity of the place where people live. Do not lose this chance. If another opportunity is given to me, I will come again.”
At the end of the more than one-hour conversation speaking on behalf of 51 members of the visiting group the five professors of the school of Zadar extended sincere thanks for the warm hospitality shown with a ‘big heart’ by Albanians and the attention of the staff of Protocol’s Presidency. They also asked to greet and thank President Ilir Meta once more.
“We did not imagine that Albania is so beautiful,” they said in unison with the wish to come back again! (Courtesy: Albanian Daily News)
