THE FLAG INHERITED FROM THE EMBLEM OF KASTRIOT’S IN STRUGA

The forum of intellectuals from Struga in cooperation with the Albanian Nationwide Collectors Center, on Wednesday, organized a scientific inaugural Tribune with the theme “Albanian national flag through centuries”. The scientific Tribune was opened by the President of the Albanian Intellectuals Forum of Struga, Xhemi Hajredini-, who highlighted that the organization of this event coincides with the celebration of 540 anniversary of our national hero Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg death, and the 5th anniversary of the establishment of Albanian Intellectuals Forum of Struga, that he leads. Hajredini announced the agenda of this activity and especially the fact that part of it would be the inauguration of “Albanian Nation Flag” book of Mr. Jaho Brahaj. “Our national flag has been a symbol during all the wars of our people,” said Hajredini. The Mayor of Struga Ramiz Merko, in his welcoming speech, among other things, said that, the Albanian flag is the oldest in Europe. “This flag was never flown in foreign castles”, said Marko, who spoke about the obstacles that have been made and are being made to Albanian for the use of the national symbol. He mentioned the decision of the Constitutional Court of Macedonia, for the limitation of our national flag use, calling it deeply political decision. Shpëtim Sala, director of Albanian Nationwide Collectors Center (QMKSH), after expressing the satisfaction for the organization of this tribune, in his speech, he highlighted the oldness of our national symbol, by arguing that the eagle as the symbol is used before the Illyrians. Meanwhile, Dr. Nebi Dervishi in his leacture “The Albanian flag, the symbol of the nation and the Albanian state” was focused on the history of the flag use as the symbol of the flag and emblem. “The eagle to Kastriot flag symbolizes the greatness, agility, sharpness …” etc, said Dervishi, also presenting the thoughts of different researchers for the eagle as a symbol. Jaho Brahaj, the author of “Flag of the Albanian nation”, at the beginning of his speech highlighted that the national flag is inherited by the emblem of Kastriot, while he rejected the claims that in 1912, the Albanians did not have a flag of their own. In attendance in this debate, along with many intellectuals from Struga, and researchers were from Albania, as well as personalities like Spiridon descendants Ilo claimed to has brought the flag in Vlora Ismail Qemali raised in 1912, and the granddaughter of Dr. Ibrahim Temos.

In attendance in this tribune, along with many intellectuals from Struga, also were the researchers from Albania, as well as the descendants of personalities like Spiridon Ilo, alleged that he has brought the flag raised by Ismail Qemali in Vlora in 1912, and the granddaughter of Dr. Ibrahim Temo. (FRIDAY, JANUARY 18^th, 2008 “FAKTI” NEWSPAPER, SKOPJE MACEDONIA).