.: October 2014

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Program for the Conference on "The Albanians in Montenegro"

The Department of Political Science

and the International Studies Program at Oakland University

In Collaboration with the Albanian-American Associations of New York, Detroit and Chicago

presents:

The 2^nd International Conference on

THE ALBANIANS IN MONTENEGRO

Majority vs. Minority Politics in an Era of Democratic Transition

Where: Meadow Brook Hall

On the campus of Of Oakland University

Rochester, MI 48309 U.S.A.

When: November 1, 2014

Day: Saturday

Time: 8:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.

Contact: viktor.ivezaj@wayne.edu

Seating: Limited

Complimentary Breakfast

8:30 a.m.

Welcoming Remarks: Paul Kubicek

Oakland University

Introductory Remarks: Viktor N. Ivezaj,

Wayne State University

PANEL I: ALBANIAN IDENTITY AND MONTENEGRIN POLITICS (9:00 a.m.)

§ Shinasi A. Rama, New York University

History and Identity: Albanians and Montenegrins

§ Viktor N. Ivezaj, Wayne State University

Human Rights and Ethnic Polarization Among the Albanians in Montenegro

§ Nail Draga, Cultural Center of Ulqin

Shqiptarët Në Mal Të Zi Në Regjistrimet E Popullsisë (1948-2011)

Chair: Agata Biernat, Nicolaus Copernicus University (Toruń, Poland)

Discussant: Angjell Gojcaj, University of Shkodra

PANEL II: ALBANIAN MINORITY POLITICS (10:30 a.m.)

§ Agata Biernat, Nicolaus Copernicus University (Toruń, Poland)

The Albanian political activities in Montenegro and the question of Tuzi

§ Sabina Osmanovic, University of Shkodra

Analysis of the expectations preceding the referendum of the Albanians in Montenegro compared to the present

§ Angjell Gojcaj, University of Shkodra

Discrimination of Albanians in Montenegro in Matter of Minorities Rights

Chair: Shinasi A. Rama, New York University

Discussant: Viktor N. Ivezaj, Wayne State University

PANEL III: EXTERNAL INFLUENCES (1:30 p.m.)

§ Grid Rroji, City University of New York (CUNY)

Albanian Kin State(s) Foreign Policy Towards Albanians in Montenegro: The Failure of the concept of integration as a definition of National Interest.

§ Paul Kubicek, Oakland University

The European Union and Minority Rights in Montenegro

§ Viktor Ivezaj and Shinasi Rama

The Albanian Diaspora and the Albanian Politics in Montenegro

Chair: Sabina Osmanovic, University of Shkodra

Discussant: Angjell Gojcaj, University of Shkodra

CONCLUDING REMARKS: Viktor N. Ivezaj, Wayne State University

Conference Website: www.albanianconference.blogspot.com

New York Times article published May 21, 1911

"ALBANIAN JOAN OF ARC: Handsome Heroine Takes Father's Place and Vanquishes Turks" – Cetinja, May 21, 1911 - A young girl, whose first name corresponds to that of the given name of the Maid of Orleans, is now being sung in the songs of the Montenegrin bards in the inns and coffee houses in Podgorica. When at the battle of Vranje last week, her father, the hereditary commander of his clan, fell, she immediately stepped to his place and led the Martinajs to victory against the Turks. Aside from the romantic phase of the affair, for Janitza Martinaj (Tringa e Grudes) is very beautiful, the battle is important as showing that the Montenegrins on the frontier had joined with the Albanians. According to a person who is well acquainted with her, this new Joan of Arc is “a tall, handsome, well-developed young woman. All the Albanian women are brave, and are trained from their girlhood to the use of firearms, and in times of war, as there are no mules, they carry the provisions and ammunition for their soldiers and go into the firing line to distribute them.” “And are sometimes killed?” “Yes, often that happens.” Janitza would probably have carried a Martini rifle; or, as many of the Marininis were collected last year by the Turks, her weapon may perhaps have been one of the old-fashioned Albanian rifles, which are handsomely decorated with silver and have very long, narrow barrels. Shooting is almost the only amusement of the young men and women in Albania. Both boys and girls learn to shoot when they are 12 years old. At weddings the parties amuse themselves by dancing and shooting: at christenings shootings is again the principal amusement – firing at large targets for some little prize – and at festivals there is shooting all day long. It’s one of the great difficulties that Turks have to contend with, for it is part of the national life; the people use their rifles by day and sleep with them by their side by night. The custom has grown up with the prevailing insecurity from vendettas at home and border troubles abroad. Physically, the Albanians are the finest race in Europe. Their women are handsome, with dark hair, though their eyes are sometimes gray. To see them walk is a delight. We like to see the ballet in Servia. The first time I saw the Albanians walk it gave me just the same pleasure. Their movements are so graceful, elegance and strength together. Yes, they are a very fine and very gifted race. They are like the Scots in the 17th century, and they will be by and by the finest race, intellectually as well as physically, in the Balkans. If you go to Constantinople you will find that many of the finest men, not only soldiers but also statesmen are Albanians. Their fault, due to their present degree of civilization, is that they cannot grasp the idea of State. The clan is their highest organization; they are unable to see the importance of combining the clan with the higher organization of making a state. But that will come.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Program for the Conference on "The Albanians in Montenegro"

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