TIRANA, Nov. 26 – It us a historic day for Albanians in Canada, says the Albanian-Canadian Community Association after the Legislative Assembly of Ontario proclaimed November as the Albanian heritage month.
“Proud to speak about The Albanian Canadian Community Association & introduce The Albanian Heritage Month Act,” wrote Canadian politician Laura Albanese who submitted the bill to the assembly.
November is a significant month for the Albanian community. Each year, during the month of November, people of Albanian origin celebrate the Albanian Declaration of Independence, which declared Albania an independent sovereign nation on November 28th, 1912, say the bill.
In November, Albania also commemorates Liberation Day, which is the day that Albania was liberated from Nazi Germany forces after the Albanian resistance on November 29th, 1944.
“By proclaiming the month of November as Albanian Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the meaningful contributions immigrants have made in building Ontario’s communities and the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of Albanian-Canadians throughout the province. Albanian Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Ontario’s rich history,” said Laura Albanese of the Ontario Liberal Party.
The Albanian-Canadian Community Association has announced several events to mark the country’s 103rd independence anniversary in late November.
Ontario is home to more than 28,000 Albanian Canadians. Since the early 20th century, the Albanian-Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario.
The first Albanians arrived in Canada at the beginning of the 20th century, following internal pre-war revolutionary upheavals. Few immigrated to Canada after WWII following the establishment of the communist regime which banned Albanians to travel abroad. The huge wave of migrants came after the collapse of the communist regime in the early 1990s.
