National Day of Albania

THE National Day of Albania is celebrated annually on November 28. On this day in 1912, Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire. A highlight of the country’s National Day is the “Flag Day.” The national flag is raised with great respect in the presence of the Prime Minister, President, and other officials of the republic. Other activities held to mark this historic day include visits to the cemetery of the national martyrs and concerts in the capital city of Tirana where famous dancers and singers perform.

Albania’s capital and largest city is Tirana, which accounts for 20% of the country’s population. The country is bordered by Greece in the south, Montenegro in the north, Serbia in the northeast, and the republic of Macedonia in the east. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the west and a coast on the Ionian Sea to the southwest.

Historical accounts say that Albania enjoyed a brief period of freedom during the 15th century, under the famous hero, George Kastriot (popularly known as “Skanderbeg”). It had made several attempts thereafter to gain freedom from the Turks. In the 19th century, citizens of Albania resisted Turkish attempts to assimilate the country and in 1878 the country’s leaders formed the Albanian League to unite the nation. They adopted the alphabet and introduced their native language, literature, and education.

In 1908, they fought again and finally gained freedom in 1912. On November 28 of that year, several leaders of the assembly met at Vlore. Led by Ismail Qemali, one of the Albanian national movement’s distinguished leaders, they raised the country’s flag to proclaim independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Today, Albania is a member of several regional and international organizations such as United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the World Trade Organization, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Union for the Mediterranean. The country has been an official candidate for accession to the European Union since June, 2014. It maintains diplomatic relations with other countries, including the Philippines. In 2013, the Philippines and Albania signed an “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Service, and Official Passports” to facilitate exchanges of high-level and official visits and pave the way for greater cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural spheres between the two countries.

We greet the People and Government of the Republic of Albania led by Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Bujar Nishani on the occasion of their National Day.