On foot from Kosovo in marathon independence journey to Vlora

TIRANA, Nov. 14 – Wearing national costumes and carrying Albania’s national flag, four Kosovo men have undertaken a rare marathon trip on foot from Kosovo’s Gjilan to Vlora, southern Albania, in a special and original way to commemorate Albania’s 100th anniversary of independence. Ekrem Avdiu from Gjilan, Dilaver Musliu from Preshev묠Gani Shaqiri from Bujanoci and Nazim Ajdini from Medvegja started their 18-day marathon to the Albanian independence city on Nov. 10 in a trip paying tribute to all those who fell for the establishment of the Albanian independent state conveying the message that “we are one nation, one people and share the same culture and flag.” The “Vatra” Association of Albanians of Eastern Kosovo says the trip of the four citizens expresses their love for Albania and appeals to Kosovo and Albania to take care more of Presheve, Medvevja and Bujanoc currently under Serbian administration. “The fact that they come from three different towns Presheva, Bujanoc and Medvegja has its own symbolism, that of unity and that Eastern Kosovo which lacks freedom and belongs to Albania,” says the Vatra Association. The itinerary of the marathon on foot includes Gjilan – Ferizaj – Shtime – Suharek렭 Prizren – Kuk쳠- Rr촨en – Fush롋ruj렭 Durr쳠- Fier – Vlor뮠 Omer Daku, the deputy head of the Gjilan commune describes the carrying of the national flag from Gjilan to Vlora by crossing all Albanian inhabited territories from one Kosovo edge to Vlora where the national flag was raised 100 years ago as genuine symbolism.