Kurti welcomes first Albanian festival in Staten Island: Integration does not diminish identity but enriches the US

The Albanian community in Staten Island, United States, gathered for the first Albanian Festival, an event featuring music, traditional food and Albanian culture.

Held at the South Beach Boardwalk, the festival brought together the generations of Albanians who first arrived in America and those born there. Albanian families have been part of New York’s history and life for generations, while their children have achieved success in business, medicine, technology, engineering, academia, government and public service.

The event was opened by the festival’s main organizer and president of the Albanian-American Association, Naser Nika, who emphasized the importance of unity among Albanians living far from their homeland.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti also attended the festival, addressing the community in a speech focused on the diaspora, preserving the Albanian language and historical memory.

Kurti told those present that he was honored to be in a place where national identity was celebrated through culture, music and food. He recalled that Albanians have been part of New York’s history for several generations, including families originating from Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, the Preševo Valley, North Macedonia and all Albanian regions.

“Many of you arrived with little, but brought with you hard work, sacrifice and hope for your children’s future. Today, younger generations contribute to business, medicine, engineering, academia and public service. This is precisely the success of the diaspora: preserving your identity while contributing to the country where you live,” Kurti said.

According to the prime minister, it is possible to love both America and the country your family comes from. He emphasized that integration into American society does not necessarily erase Albanian identity but makes its mosaic even richer.

Kurti described preserving the Albanian language as one of the most important responsibilities toward future generations, saying that Albanians in the diaspora, particularly those in America, are fulfilling this duty.

“When an Albanian child in Staten Island learns Albanian, they are not merely acquiring a language. Along with it, they inherit history, culture and a connection to their roots,” he said.

Speaking about the role of the diaspora, Kurti said that, for Kosovo, the Albanian community in the United States has always represented much more than a diaspora. According to him, it has been a powerful voice, a constant source of support and a bridge to America.

In his speech, the prime minister mentioned Illyrian ancestry and Skanderbeg, as well as three dates he described as foundational: the League of Prizren in 1878, Albania’s independence in 1912 and Adem Jashari’s KLA in 1998. He also mentioned the US-led NATO intervention in 1999 and Kosovo’s independence in 2008.

Kurti also spoke about building the state, extending the rule of law to the north of the Ibër River and the Security Force. He called the first-instance ruling in The Hague against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi unjust, adding that history is the true judge and that the state would work to have it corrected on appeal.

He stated that both the UNMIK court and the court in The Hague had previously committed injustices against the KLA. In this context, Kurti quoted the words of a wise thinker: “History puts trials on trial.”

The prime minister then expressed special appreciation and gratitude to the Atlantic Battalion from the United States.

In his opening remarks, Naser Nika said that the Albanian community in America has not forgotten the struggle for Kosovo’s freedom, the sacrifices, the history and all those who gave their lives. He emphasized that, at this difficult moment, the diaspora must remain united not only during celebrations but also in the face of adversity.

Addressing Kosovo’s prime minister, Nika said those present represented a community that loves Kosovo, Albania and the Albanian lands. Although they live far away, he added, Kosovo remains in their hearts, and this festival is a beautiful testament to that bond.

“Today, the red-and-black flag is flying in New York, while our children listen, sing and dance in Albanian. This is the most beautiful way to pass our identity on to future generations. Do not forget where you come from; learn Albanian, love your culture and respect America, but preserve your roots. We build our lives here, while passing our identity down from generation to generation. Today, we are starting a new tradition; let us continue it every year and bring our children here,” said Naser Nika, president of the Albanian-American Association and main organizer of the First Albanian Festival in Staten Island.