Report - 2024 Albanian Independence Day Flag Raising at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan

Raising the Albanian flag on Wall Street and honoring the Albanian-American community of New York City and beyond with speeches by Mark Gjonaj, Emina Çunmulaj, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams

This Tuesday, November 26th, New York City honored Albania’s upcoming Independence Day on November 28th, which falls on the same day as Thanksgiving this year.

What started out as a dreary rainy day turned into an afternoon with blue skies and sunshine as Wall Street prepared to raise the Albanian Flag alongside the American Flag. This gathering brought together Albanians from near and far, of different faith and status, and piqued the interest of many passers-by who would stop to ask the question: “Wait what flag is that? Oh Albanian? Cool.” in a beautiful display of true New York melting pot culture.

The event began with a prayer by Imam Tahir Kukaj from the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Staten Island:

“God Almighty we ask that you grant us wisdom to lead with justice, courage to protect our vulnerable, compassion to build our nation - rooted in love, mercy, and prosperity. Let this flag that we raise remind us of our duties to uphold the values for which this flag stands. Equality, liberty, unity, and - above all - besa, the code of honor by which we Albanians live. God Almighty we ask that you bless our leadership with integrity, our nation with purpose of love, and our land with prosperity and peace and strength. Let us all walk together as brothers and sisters, to work and build our nation in a form that is worthy of our flag.”

The emcee and organizer of the event, former Assemblyman and City Councilman of the Bronx, Mark Gjonaj, followed by delivering a beautiful speech.

He starts off:

“Thank you Imam Kukaj for those beautiful words, for reminding us that there’s a higher being, and that God plays a very important role in our life as you can see by today — it was raining in the morning and the sun is out and it’s a beautiful day, life is good but God is great!”

“Good afternoon, it is a great honor and a tremendous privilege to be here with all of you today as we celebrated the 112th anniversary of Albanian Independence. Gëzuar Ditën e Flamurit!”

Mr. Gjonaj continues his speech by thanking New York, which is home to over 100,000 Albanians:

“New York is a melting pot of cultures and immigrant populations. These immigrant populations are what make New York City so beautiful. It gives the flavor and the zest to a great city. Moreover, it is due to the success of the Albanian-American community in New York City that we are here being recognized. It is your hard work, it is your achievements and your accomplishments that allow this community to be recognized in the greatest city in the world.”

Mr, Gjonaj then moves on to share with the crowd the importance and significance of Albanian Independence Day:

“This Thursday, November 28th we celebrate the 112th anniversary of Albanian Independence. Not only do we celebrate our independence, but we celebrate Thanksgiving. As a people, we have much to be thankful for. We live in a country that allows us to hold on to our culture, our language, and traditions. We live in a city that invests in the next generation so they continue to hold on to our traditions and language. We are very fortunate to live in this great country where we not only simply celebrate an independence day, we celebrate a flag; we celebrate a people, a people of rich culture, traditions, values, and history. A history filled with heroism that arose in the midst of suffering. Albanian independence has been fought for and paid for by blood, sweat, and tears. We celebrate an identity, we celebrate a people, that refuse to be shaken, proven through multiple military invasions, political manipulations, and even genocide. It is a miracle that we even exist as a people. It is a greater miracle that we still speak the language. And it is remarkable that you have not forgotten your history or where you came from or the debt we have to our homeland.”

He finishes by addressing all nations in borders where Albanians are found:

“Albanian independence is celebrated as one nation under one flag. Along with Albania: Kosova, Albanians in Macedonia, Montenegro, Presheva Valley, and Çameria. Today we celebrate Albanians all over the world and in the greatest country in the world, United States of America, in the greatest city in the world, New York City, which serves as a beacon of freedom and democracy, in the heart of the world’s financial district, Wall Street.”

Some notable attendees of this event included Arthur Piccolo, President of the Bowling Green Association, who gave a few words about the history of the Albanian flag being raised on Wall Street, showcasing Albanians’ innate desire to represent their culture wherever they are:

“The story of the raising of the Albanian flag is something I will never forget, and neither should anyone here. When we started raising the Albanian flag, it was not a grand celebration like this. There were a group of Albanian-Americans who were the workers in 26 Broadway, and soon after the flagpole came up in 1996, they said to me: ‘We would like to raise the Albanians flag here.’ And I said, fine, but we don’t have an Albanian flag. They among themselves, less than a dozen of them, raised the $400 to buy a big, large Albanian flag. And for a number of years…we would come out here after they finished their daily job at 5:00 PM, in the dark, in November, and raise the Albanian flag, and that is all because of these wonderful Albanian-Americans who work down here.”

Another speaker, Emina Çunmulaj, a model and philanthropist who dedicates all her time either to her children or to the Albanian community, was invited up to the podium by Mark Gjonaj.

Speaking about Albanian Independence Day, she said:

“Today we come together not only to remember the bravery and determination of our forefathers who fought for our freedom, but also to reflect on the journey that Albania has taken since then. A journey that is marked by resilience, transformation, and determination committed to progress. From our ancient roots to modern-day Albania, the spirit of independence has guided us through decades of change and continues to inspire us today. As an Albanian-American, born in the U.S., and raised back home and here, I have witnessed first-hand the bond between our two nations. The Albanian-American community here in New York, the city that I called home just around the corner for 13 years, embodies the rich diversity of cultures and around the globe has always been a bridge connecting our rich culture and heritage, and the promise of the American dream. We are proud of contributions that Albanians have made and continue to make in every field: from business to arts and science, to public service. We carry and value hard work, integrity, and resilience that define both our Albanian and American identities. New York City, the greatest melting pot in the world, has been a second home to many Albanians. Finally, let us not only remember the past, but also look to the future. The future where Albania continues to grow and thrive, where Albanian culture continues to shine, and where the strong ties between Albania and the United States remain unbreakable.”

Following this speech was a performance by Klevis Tafaj and Bianka Skenderi of Ajkun Ballet Theatre, a New York City Ballet Company. You can watch the full performance of this traditional Albanian dance below:

Some other distinguished members of the community were invited to speak, including Orchida Harizaj and Ledia Dobi of the Mayor’s office, Albanian Ambassador to the United States Ervin Bushati, and Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations Suela Janina.

Before the Mayor’s arrival, three outstanding members of the Albanian-American community were honored with certificates from the Mayor’s office. These three members were: Legislative Policy Analyst for the New York City Council, Vera Mjeku; fashion photographer Fadil Berisha, and Albanian-American activist, Esad Gjonbalaj.

Mark Gjonaj returned to the podium to introduce Mayor Eric Adams who, on the same day, was found to be tied to an FBI investigation into the PAC “Striving for a Better New York” which supported Mayor Adams’ candidacy. A staunch supporter of the Albanian-American community, the recent fire under which the Mayor has found himself was completely absent during this event, instead receiving a warm welcome and loud applause from the audience.

Mayor Eric Adams approaches the microphone:

“You don’t stand for me, I stand for you.”

“I don’t think you fully appreciate the role that Mark has played for the Albanian community. I remember many years ago when he was running for Assemblyman, he stopped in the office and he said ‘the time has arrived for the Albanian community to not to live in the shadows of the American dream and experience what to come, and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine of the freedom that we offer.’ He [Mark] has been a pioneer to ensure on every level that the Albanian community is respected, supported, uplifted.”

“The beauty of this country is that it states that no matter who you are, never abandon your culture. Always remember as Americans that you are also Albanians.”

“When you raise the flag here, it is our symbol of saying we raise the spirited energy of the Albanian communities, specifically today. But in general, all of the communities that make up this great country we call America, we’re proud to raise your flag side by side. It took 110 mayors before your flag was allowed to be raised here. It took those numbers of mayors because I understood what makes us great is our diversity. That’s our secret weapon. That’s the weapon that makes us who and what we are. And you believe in what I believe. You believe in family, you believe in business, you believe in faith, and you believe in public safety.”

“So 112 years, although it’s your independence, we are dependent on each other. We need each other. And as we move into the season of Thanksgiving, remember it’s Thanks-giving, not Thanks-receiving. So let’s go out and give. Let’s go out and give to people and help people that are in need because that’s the Albanian way.”

The Mayor then concluded his speech with a short anecdote:

“My son was in Albania last year where he participated in one of the musical contests. He called me up and said: ‘Dad, I don’t know if I’m coming back home, I love Albania and what it represents.’ And whenever he sees me, he remembers and reminds me: just put up the flag, the Albanian flag.”

It was at this point that Mayor Adams crossed his hands to symbolize the double-headed eagle found on the Albanian flag, a hand gesture that welcomed the loudest cheering of the entire event.

Mark Gjonaj thanked the Mayor:

“Truly a mayor of the people - let’s give it up for the greatest mayor New York City’s ever had, Mayor Eric Adams!”

What has arguably been the most successful flag-raising for Albanian Independence Day at Wall Street could not have been done without the tireless commitment of Mark Gjonaj and his staff, as well as all the honorees and important figures of the Albanian community, and the hundreds of those who attended the ceremony.

*all media is my own*