Albanians celebrate their heritage in the USA

VALHALLA, June 6 – Albanians flooded the Kensico Dam Plaza last Sunday, celebrating their heritage with music, food and soccer matches, US news agencies report. “We are unique,” organizer Frank Cotaj of Bedford said. “If you come to my house and ask for a beer, I will offer you three. We have all kinds of food. We don’t leave you alone, we make sure you go home happy.” Joseph Zef Rudaj, who also helped stage the event, said between 3,500 and 4,000 people had shown up. “It’s important not to forget,” he said. “Keep the traditions.” Nearby, Kole Ndoci recounted leaving Albania while it was still under Communist rule. “We suffered for years,” said Ndoci, who lives in Manhattan. “But now we’re OK. And we’re all over the place.” In front of the stage, scores of people performed calm, restrained dance moves to the thumping rhythm of traditional songs played at Rolling Stones-like volume. Katrna Lisi, 59, of Pleasantville was pushing her granddaughter in a stroller and smiling. “Everybody gets together. It’s a tradition,” she said. “And this is my country’s music.” In a quieter section of the grounds, Ray Lapatimca sold his paintings of Albanian heroes. One depicted a knight, with sword held aloft, riding a rearing horse. Asked what’s at the heart of Albanian culture, he replied, “It’s the bravery that we have shown over the centuries against invaders. “We’re like the Scots.” Sunday’s festival was organized by the congregation of Our Lady of Shkodra in Hartsdale. Each year, the Albanian-American community of the NY-NJ-CT area honors its traditions and heritage in a colorful celebration of Albanian music, traditional dance, and food at its annual Albanian Heritage Day, held at the Kensico Dam Plaza, a 98 acre park, located in Westchester County’s Valhalla, NY. . This annual event is a tribute to Albanian culture, including traditional Albanian clothing, unique Albanian musical instruments and a rare opportunity to listen to and view a variety of Albanian music and dance, as well as eat traditional Albanian food. Entertainment was provided by popular Albanian singers and dancers.