[NYC-L] A Reflection of Anita Bitri's Life

[Aferdita Hakaj]

WE ARE SHOCKED, WE ARE SAD, WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT!



By: Shqipe Malushi

Anita Bitri was a faithful Albanian American Womens Organization member since our inception…She was among the first artists who contributed her time and talent to all our events. She always offered her participation in our concerts and events to support mothers and children in Kosova and Albania during the war. She did not withhold her enthusiasm when we worked to help with refugees, in their hope for a better life. She always wanted to be there to inspire people.

We remember her always smiling and dancing. She knew how to bring the spirit of joy among the crowds where she sang. It was on mother’s day that she contributed her time and talent and sang for AAWO’s event, which we organize annually. People were beyond themselves in joy, listening to her sing, dance, and remember their homeland.

Her sudden death shocked us beyond belief this morning when we received this sad news. 
We could not believe that Anita, her daughter and her mother died early this morning. We don’t know how did this tragedy happen?
Anita came in this country from the city of Vlora, in Albania at the time when Albania was going through a very difficult time. She came to the U.S. for a better life and in a very short time she stole the hearts of our community.

“She represented beautifully Vlora to me” said our President Dr. Anna Kohen, “We have to keep her memory alive.” She continued.
“I never knew her close, but the news shocked me early this morning, especially that a little girl’s live ended.” Said Valbona Thaqi, AAWO bookkeeper.

Our Outreach Coordinator Dardanesha Andoni walked in crying. “I can’t believe this, I can’t believe this.” 
“She sang in my wedding and made it magic for me and my husband, the whole wedding was like a miracle because of her spirit, and I cannot believe this news.” Said Dolore Bushati, AAWO Deputy Director.

Anita’s life was a reflection of thousands of lives of women who came from Albania trying to escape disastrous economic, social and political situations. Artists in Albania usually were repressed and they seeked freedom of _expression. In New York they felt free, they had an opportunity and they followed their dream.

Her public always loved Anita. She sang in many important events organized by Albanian American Women’s Organization as well as National Albanian American council and other organizations…

After nine years she went back to Albania to promote her new CD produced “Memories of My Life” produced by Brooklyn Media Lab. 
She also produced a video documentary about her life as she had felt that it was not going to be long.

When she returned from Albania she shared her happiness with us telling us that Albanian audiences did not forget her and that they were so curious to find out how did America change her.

“America is a very civilized country,” Anita had answered, “with an enormous creative space and people, and what ever you may wish you can find it there. But the most important thing, you can find yourself there.”

She couldn’t believe how the city of Tirana, the capital of Albania had transformed; it was not the city she had left beyond. It was a city filled with high scrapers and new dreams. After her successful promotion of her CD in Tirana she came back to New York, to build a new bridge of between cultures.

She tried so hard to make it across the borders…one of our concerts we organized for her was titled: “Music Beyond Borders,” which took place in Cami Hall in 2001…She strived to bring Albanian music to the American audiences and promote our culture with pride.

She was a wonderful mother, she loved her daughter Sibora (like snow), and it is so sad that today she died with her daughter and her mother, and when she died all the newspapers and television networks are calling to hear her story. 

Today she made the headlines and for us it is a very sad day because as she brought people together in life she is also bringing them in death and AAWO mourns for losing a good friend and dear member.

 
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