[Gjakova-L] Reflections and Good Wishes

[Annefon at aol.com]

ALBANIAN FLAG DAY CELEBRATION - OUR COLLECTIVE MIRROR AND MEMORY

This joyous gathering, on the occasion of the Flag Day celebration, 
is a chance to see ourselves in a collective mirror;  In it each of us
reflects not only an individual image, but also an image of the country
of our origin - Albania.

We are an expression, a sample and example of our Albanian language,
culture and heritage.

We are not only who we are now, but also who we were in the past
and who we will become in the future.

We believe that the bridges to the future cannot be built by destroying 
the bridges of the past.

As our identity evolves, we hope that the Albanian community 
in Washington State, and, for that matter, the Albanian American
community across the USA, will find its true, authentic voice
and share its rich heritage with its newly found home - 
- with American society at large, by giving its unique
voice, color and flavor to a wonderful tapestry of common bonds
of humanity.

We hope that Albania and Albanians around the world will regain
their balance and unite in their common cause for freedom,
democracy, and prosperity. And thus find their rightfully deserved
place in modern Europe and modern world in the new century
and the new millennium.

Ferhat Ymeri
25 November 2000
Washington State