In her speech commemorating the holocaust, the Chairperson of the Albanian Parliament, Josefina Topalli spoke about the benevolent hospitality and generosity of the Albanians, as the two most prominent moral values, of our nation, which helped to save the Jews from the fatal persecution of the Nazis during the II World War.
“Albania was the one occupied country that evaded the Nazi persecution of Jews and had the unique survival rate of 100%. It was the only occupied country to have a larger Jewish population after the Second World War than before.” writes Harvey Sarner in his book “Rescue in Albania”.
More exerts from the same book:
“Throughout their long history Albanians have desired and promoted peace and cooperation among all peoples. They have welcomed foreign visitors to their shores in a spirit of friendship. And, when Jewish refugees found their way to Albania, often fleeing for their lives, the Albanian people gave them shelter and protection.”
“Under fascist rule in Albania, as in other occupied countries during World War II, the Nazi authorities maintained strict surveillance over the Jewish population, registering both natives and new arrivals, and then herding them into camps. In Albania, Jews were removed from Durres and Vlora, because these towns were strategic transportation links, and while the Nazis tried to deport all Jews not of Albanian citizenship, the Albanian people helped them escape concentration camps by taking them into their homes, giving them food and shelter, and hiding them.”
“At first, individual Albanians saved Jews on their own initiative. Later, when it became more dangerous, the task was organized by National Liberation Councils in the towns and villages. There were cases where Jewish families, in great danger of discovery, were moved from family to family and village to village, from town to country and back again. Sometimes Jewish families traveled with false passports given to them by Albanians. Often Jews were disguised as Albanian peasants and covertly relocated. In the process, many Albanians were arrested and shot to death for their heroic activities.”
That’s really sometihng to be proud of!
What a great heritage!
This is amazing book.
I read it and I studied, is just incredible, how hospitable and good people we are (ALBANIANS)
yeah nice but how about when they burned the serbian churches and killed serbian children and sold their organs…stfu
Dear STFU,
I think you are confusing matters a great deal since this post is not talking about what has happened in the last decade, but rather over five decades ago.
Anyway, to answer your concern, I would have to say that a great many injustices have been done on both sides and it is too easy to start accusing the other meanwhile forgetting once owns atrocities and injustices.
Elvis
STFU, I am sad that you are still feeling bitter about the past but I believe is time to move on.
It is nice to know that we are being recognised by a long suffering country for our bravery and caring nature. Not long ago I had the pleasure of meeting some Jewish friends in the UK and soon as they found out my nationalty, they couldn’t thank Albanians enough for what our contry has done for them in a time of need.
It filled my heart with pride and joy. Absolutely fantastic
Ummm sorry stfu last time i checked the serbians were commiting genocide in bosnia and kosovo. GOOD JOB ALBANIANS, THEY ARE COOL PEOPLE!
yes, this was a contribution. bravoooooooo albanians and be proud of what you were, are and will be. 21st and 22nd century belongs to Albanian Nation. We suffered enough, we’re still alive, we still exist…………. our voice is being listened all over the world and Russia will soon listen to US-A.
PS. Upsssssssssss Russia is out of normal world sorry…. And dear Serbians can you please at the moment you start talking about humanity think about Srebrenica, pleasssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeee