Welcome to the website for the Albanian Student Association at the University of Connecticut. We are a dedicated group of students focused on informing the world about the existence of Albania. In buoyant spirits we hope to raise awareness for our culture and customs. Throughout these pages you will find information about our association containing past and planned events, achievements and goals of the Albanian Students here at the University of Connecticut.
The Albanian Student Association held its second annual Independence Day Conference on Sunday December 2nd, 2007. The conference was held in order to celebrate Albania’s Independence. Alvidri Kurti, the president of the Albanian Student Association, opened the conference by welcoming all the guests. He then took the time to inform everyone about the accomplishments ASA has made, (and plans to make) such as awarding annual scholarships to incoming Albanian freshman at the University of Connecticut, an Albanian class that we are in the process of starting, and the matters that are taking place in Kosovo. The event was hosted by Ilirjan Rrumbullaku and Mimoza Shehu. The speakers included Albanian activists Ymer Hasani, and Miftar Gjini and chairman of NAAC Richard Lukaj who each took the time to speak about Albanian traditions, culture and future goals for the Albanian community. Miftar Gjini discussed the histories of Albanians throughout the centuries in America. Richard Lukaj informed the guests about ...
his involvement and contributions to the Albanian community, and urged the young Albanian community "not to view him as an example they should reach but as one they should exceed." We learned from Mr. Lukaj about the Kosovo Independence Day Rally and he announced that this event will take place on Monday December 10th at 12:00pm and will be held in front of United Nations Headquarters. Click here for more info!!! We would like to thank the speakers for taking the time to attend our event and making the night that much more pleasing and memorable. Arlind Mucaj recited a poem titled “Gjuha Shqipe ” which expressed the importance of the Albanian language. This poem was a collage of many poems from different poets such as Naim Frasheri, Ndre Mjeda, and Gjergj Fishta.We would like to thank Matilda Petrela for her beautiful performance with the cello which helped to set an elegant mood to such a perfect night. Matilda received her diploma from “Institute i Larte i Arteve” in Tirana, Albania and she also has a Bachelors degree in Music & Performance from the University of Hartford. She performs with Eastern Connecticut Symphony and other Chamber Music Groups. Despite the weather conditions, we had a great return of friends and family who joined us in celebrating our second annual Independence Day Conference. We would also like to thank everyone who came out and supported us and hope that everyone not only enjoyed themselves but also left with a sense of enlightenment. Lastly, a few students from ASA performed a traditional Albanian dance dedicated to the flag which is called “Vallja e Flamurit.” The dance performance was excellent; congratulations to everyone who participated. On behalf of the Valle dancers, we would like to thank Besnik for the time and effort he put into choreographing the dance and also for his patience!! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Conference and to all of those who helped to put it together!!!! If anyone would like to make a donation to the Albanian Student Association in support of student scholarships, you can do so on the front page, (on the right) of the website.
