Not to get old…

- Shpëtim Agur Çilotaj is a rare boy, a good friend for everyone who knows him closely or has worked with him, - this is what my Cham friends from Fier told me a year ago.

These words were confirmed even by Gramoz Nimani (Naim), a common friend from Durrës, whom I trust because he has followed me for the Cham ideal even in the most difficult days, when he was ill and almost dying from languor.

And so instinctually I began watching Shpëtim, before deciding to open the friendship doors to him. And now he is a pleasant surprise for me, as a man of letters, who sees life from an artistic point of view and of course, even for other friends with a long experience in recognizing people, the same as me. And I am emphasizing not unintentionally, I don’t easily make mistakes regarding my tastes. At least, until today, I have never disappointed the readers. I think I’ll not disappoint them even with the personage I chose to present with such sympathy. I am saying it again: Shpëtim Çilotaj is really a charming boy, physically and especially in his interior. Believe me because I’m not insisting in vain, that’s why you should be curious to follow me in every detail, and you will be convinced that you have in front of you a main personage, really dignified for the Albanian society. A 35 year old man that blooms in his peak age, a friend full of virtues and a successful businessman - this is the right description of the man that advances impressively through this writing rows and in our imagination, honored reader…

Shpëtim Çilotaj was born in June 24, 1974 in the city of oilmen, in Patos (Fier), where he passed his childhood and got educated. So he finished the elementary and high school in his birthplace and graduated in Business Administration, Management in the University of Elbasan. And not in vain he chose this graduate school. It is understood, he was incited by the family gene. His grandfather, Laze Bilaj was a trader and his nephew, Shpëtim, this successful businessman, inherited it. His father, Agur, today is a well-set pensioner although he is 67 years old. Unlike his grandfather Laze, he worked as an oilman obliged by the conditions the former communist dictatorship had assigned, like all the townsmen of Patos, this oil-bearing zone. Shpëtim’s mother, Zonja, worked in construction.

Shpëtim is the smallest of three brothers. They have a sister, who is the brothers’ and parents pet as the last-born child of this typical Albanian family, which has been established in Patos about three hundred years ago. Grandfather Laze Bilaj took care of Shpëtim as the smallest of the boys, telling him his life experiences and teaching him how to be a devoted man for himself, his family and society. So he taught him how to imbibe the best characteristics and values of their clan, generation after generation and how to take values from the Cham coevals’ values.

Who doesn’t know Laze Bilaj in Patos and Fier, especially the Cham families that were established there in 1945, after being violently deported from their homeland, Chameria, by the Greek chauvinistic bands. As it is known, today the Chams, due to their rare genetic abilities, comprise a large part of Patos and Fier population. They came traumatized by the genocide the Greeks practiced upon their country and community. But they rapidly adapted themselves, handled trade and artisanal works, survived, were reproduced, and left many descendants to ensure the continuity of their own gene. So the Chams survived their number increased in Patos as well as in many areas of Albania, where they had set up their dwellings, expanding and strengthening the friendly relations with natives…

Shpëtim grew up and got educated as a Cham child among the numerous Cham families that had already enhanced their friendship with his grandfather Laze Bilaj, their host. The whole zone honors Laze for his hospitability toward the Chams. He supported and helped the Chams to build their homes and trade, as Chams’ most preferred tool to secure their living. And so they were so attached and fraternized that today Chams and natives don’t differ. Through the years the family traditions were mixed together and today it’s difficult to distinguish Shpëtim Çilotaj from a Cham guy and conversely.

In March 2002 Shpëtim Çilotaj created “Çilotaj” LLC company centered in Fier and with branches in some districts, which, due to Shpëtim’s managerial capacities grew, expanded and created capitals as one of the most durable businesses in Albania. Later, based on this company, was created “Çilotaj Group” ltd, centered in Fier and with branches in Vlora, Durrës, Tirana etc...Today, this successful company has production and construction lines and many other objectives. Shpëtim Çilotaj says their company is connected with the Turkish company “Kurum”, owner of former metallurgical combine in Elbasan and trades its iron, having exclusivity for Tirana and Southern Albania. “Çilotaj Group” ltd cooperates even with the Lebanon company “FK Cement” and they have exclusive rights to sell the cement of Fusha Kruja factory in the districts of Fier and Vlora. This company has set up the wiring line in Fier for iron rifling and retraction and the iron hollow production line for concrete platforms and building basements. In Tirana, this company deals with palace construction, while in Golem Beach it builds touristic objects. So they work hard with the aim to expand even more the building possibilities of the company which today has over 100 employees…

This company includes even the physical preservation society “Çilotaj Security” with administrator Gramoz Nimani or Naim Nimani, as all his friends know him.

- Now we have taken the presidency of Albanian Boxing Federation, - says proudly Shpëtim. – Don’ think we are inexperienced in this field. We have given evidence that we know how to manage sport clubs, because we have had before the direction of “Teuta Box” of Durrës and we were successful. That’s why we decided to see beyond it. But you have to know that this coincides with my biggest hobby, which is sport…

Shpëtim speaks with passion for his free time when he totally dedicates himself to sports games, soccer, volleyball and basketball, not only to keep his body in shape as an athlete, but also for pleasure, relaxation and to regain forces for tomorrow when he should be back at his construction works. Shpëtim says he makes a vivacious and exciting life. He likes reading, watching movies, he likes music, and he is so passionate about fast cars that he doesn’t leave the wheel easily. He would like racing, if he was given the possibility. He likes travelling in tourist places, not only for business purposes, when he has to travel and go to different places to meet foreign partners for the expansion of investments in Albania.

- Shpëtim Çilotaj, - tells me Naim Nimani, our common friend, - isn’t simply a systematic state taxpayer, but, with that noble spirit, he is also a philanthropist; he helps anyone who needs help from him, particularly vulnerable social categories. He cooperates with the Red Cross and provides financially many cultural activities etc. So, he works hard in many directions to keep up the dignified personality he has... However, he knows well that we, as his friends, have him under strict surveillance to prevent his spirit getting old prematurely as many others.

This guy is also committed to the Cham ideal, just like a worthy successor of Chameria, - say my Cham friends and I feel even more confident while portraying the features of this character so loved by the social opinion around him. For the sake of truth, I had noticed even before Shpëtim’s readiness to support even with his passionate words the Cham ideal, but when my friends say he is a good friend of Chameria, I raise my hands up and think I haven’t make a mistake portraying him with such certainty.

This is Shpëtim Agur Çilotaj, the guy whose spirit never gets old. I don’t know what else to say… If my friends have lied to me, if my eyes and my experience lied to me, I’m sorry: if they lied to me I lied to you, honored reader…

Elim Xanxari

(Translated by: Lorena Uliu)

Lorena Uliu image

Lorena Uliu image

Lorena Uliu

By Arben Çokaj

Dr. Haim Reitan – a contributor
and a friend of the Albanians

Dr. Haim Reitan was born in Istanbul (Turkey) on 20 May 1946. He is a doctor, a diplomat, a translator and publicist. He is an Italian citizen with Israeli origin. Actually he lives in Bergamo and he is an Italian citizen.

Dr. Reitan works with different projects to invest in Albania, which I will explain in progress, but let’s take a look to his CV. He has finished the college for biology in Bat-yam (daughter of the sea) a city of Israel.

He graduated in medicine in the University of Pavia (Italy) in 1974. Later he has done some specializations for the diseases of the cardio-vascular apparatus, Flebology, Nephrology in Pavia (Italy), in New York, Miami, Arizona and Texas, in USA, and further in London, Rotterdam e Tel Aviv.

He is a member of the Italian Association of Cardiology and the Association of Flebology.
Until 2003 he has worked as a hospital director in some cities of Italy, as a forensic advisor and as a coordinator in some projects within the European Community countries and developing countries like some African countries. During 2004, he has worked as a medical adviser in engineering projects in the construction of the new hospital of Bergamo.

In 2005 and 2006 he has accomplished the role of the coordinator for the development of the relations between Italy and Albania in the medicine field, a thing that he still does due to the good relations that he has created with the officials of the Ministry of Health. He has assisted and continues to give a hand to many people that need to be treated in the Italian hospitals and this is a feature of his character as a man with a spirit of idealist missionary. Meanwhile he continues to direct his own medical center in Bergamo (Italy).

Dr. Haim Reitan speaks some foreign languages, such as the Hebrew language, English, Italian, Spanish, French, Turkish, etc. Now he is trying to learn even the Albanian language. Owing to his ability of polyglot and erudite he has been engaged as an adviser of some well-known political personalities, like ministers, prime ministers and presidents in different countries and with his work he has influenced in the consolidation of their relations with Italy and Israel.

He has been distinguished as a zealous and visionary diplomat, especially in the role of the honor consul and with his intelligence he has influenced in the improvement of the relations between Italy and Israel, especially with countries like Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo, Congo etc. Such people with a human and diplomatic activity serve as connective bridges between different nations.

As a good connoisseur of the politics and the development of the situations in Balkan with cramps, conflicts and inter-ethnic tensions, Dr. Haim Reitan has contributed even in the albanological studies and balkanology. He is giving a big contribution as a translator and publicist with his editions in different media of the world. He is one of the most zealous collaborators of the magazine “The eagle’s wing” (Krahi i shqiponjës), an organ of the NGO: The Cultural Association “Bilal Xhaferri” and the publishing organ: The publishing house “Bilal Xhaferri”.

Recently, Dr. Haim Reitan has encouraged some political- economic lobbies in Italy, Israel, USA, Switzerland and somewhere else to support the development of democracy in Albania, for the recognition of Kosovo independence, for the economic-administrative consolidation of its new state and for the internationalism of the Cham problem. In Albania you can find him with the Cham historian Ibrahim Hoxha, with the writers Shefki Hysa and Namik Mane and with other intellectuals, public-spirited for the Albanian national issue. Dr. Haim Reitan is so in love with the Cham issue as to express himself in the Albanian language: I am from Chameria, I’m Cham!”

Dr. Haim Reitan has made friends some personalities of the Albanian politics such as Sali Berisha, Sabri Godo, Fatmir Mediu, Edi Rama, Skënder Gjinushi, Hashim Thaçi etc. One of his projects is the twinning of some Albanian universities with the universities of the most developed countries of the Western Europe. With his work, as a missionary of the Albanian issue in the world, he has gained the respect by many intellectual elites in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia.

Dr. Reitan is trying to intercede even in the investment issue, in Italy or widely in Albania, especially the private investments that come from the Italian business or other countries. As everywhere in the world, the Albanian market should be open for such people with constructive initiatives for our country and our state institutions should be more exposed and careful to approach such people, with considerable knowledge and interest for Albania, so that their will and contribution could turn in serious and long-term investments for our country.

In the business world the profit is the main thing but it’s more beneficial when the business that is offered in Albania from human people like Dr. Reitan is welcomed and stimulated from the Albanian goodwill and hospitality. We should try as we can to avoid our social wound- the corruption- because devoted people like Dr.Reitan can get tired, can feel insulted and at the end can give themselves up. As Albanians, we must open the door to such constructive attempts and think in a dynamic way for the best forms for the development of our country in the future.

Translated by: Lorena Uliu

By Arben Çokaj

Chameria, how it should be

Inspired from the book “The Diplomacy of Self-denial”
of the writer Shefki Hysa

Many times in life, we confront irresistible challenges. Efforts for existence seem impossible and the being surrenders to the destiny. In general the ill-fated man believes in the destiny more than them who are successful. But nobody survives without efforts. The prophet used to tell everybody “sow”, when they asked him how the weather would be that year. And you are going to reap what you have sown.

The Cham issue has been impossible for more than a half century.
The communist regime entombed it and the most distinguished part of those Chams that were violently deported to Albania, was aggressively victimized by the wild Albanian regime too. Kosovo’s people that had escaped from Kosovo to the Albanian “paradise” of that time had the same destiny. As their expectancy was too big, they couldn’t recover from the desperation and so they were sent in prison for agitation and propaganda.

Bilal Xhaferri, the most distinguished Cham writer, had the same destiny. His father was murdered by the communists when Bilal was just a little child. The communist regime was too cruel to deal with– it could kill you for a word. And Bilal was obliged to escape as the only way to continue his life. He created a distinguished literary work and directed for years “Eagle’s wing” (“Krahu i shqiponjës”) magazine in USA. This magazine symbolized Chameria and it continues being published in the post-communist Albania by the well known Cham writer and patriot Shefki Hysa, director of the Cultural Association “Bilal Xhaferri”.

The last weeks, Shefki Hysa has published an excellent book: “The diplomacy of self-denial”, which raises many important issues of the Cham developments and author’s personal attempts to keep up the Cham issue, the spirit of a maltreated, outraged and massacred population.

An unprecedented genocide was practiced over the Cham population when the Greek state didn’t recognize people’s rights and freedoms. The terrible crimes of the Zervist bands and the silence that the communist regime imposed in Albania, has been enough to snuggle up the Cham population, especially that part that was violently obliged to migrate into Albania. It was difficult for the Chams to awake and the difficulties go on even today, after 18 years of democracy because the politics of the Greek state and that of the Albanian state couldn’t converge in a political solution for Cham’s properties. When a right is denied, it’s difficult to win it completely. The silence was intentional and continues being so.

There are Chams in Albania and abroad, distinguished for their achievements in life. The Chams are organized in associations, parties etc., to ask for their rights that were negated to them in decades. They want back their property in Chameria, in that northwestern part of the neighboring Greece, where the Chams have their lands. The Greek state still isn’t predisposed to accept the historical truth, for all that the Cham issue is known by the Greek historians too, is known by the international diplomacy, especially by the western one, by USA and the European Union, which has initiated even a resolution in support of the Cham issue.

The well-known Albanian analyst and political scientist Arben Xhaferri, who has the same surname of the big Cham writer, would define: “there are nations that produce history as well as nations that produce chronicles”. It is necessary a high conscience and a common organized work, “selfless”, as the Cham writer and activist Shefki Hysa describes it, in order to transform the chronicles into history. The Chams have their own history; they should begin to promote it more, until they achieve the desirable result.

Despite the numerous difficulties, today the Chams have the possibilities to impose on the Greek state the recognition of the Cham rights, as a social, not only individual, group. They will achieve this only by means of a good organization and a non-manipulative conscience. Cham’s properties are occupied by other people, some of whom Greeks that came back from Turkey, after the Second World War. This is a social problem for Greece, which should give back to the Cham Albanians their properties, which have been used by the Greeks for some decades.

Seeing that the Greek state is totally lacking in desire and the problems that can be created in the Greek society with the return of the Chams in their own lands and territories, a better organization is nothing less than necessary to make their right a reality. The Chams should take control of their destiny. The Albanian state is overmuch corrupt, incapable and liable to risk to help in this issue. We can all remember the lacking affinity and the lack of interest that the Albanian state showed toward Kosovo issue. The Albanian diplomacy pronounced some words only when Kosovo’s people gained the western sympathy.

The election in USA of president Obama, a black man, get us back in retrospective, to witness what the Black Americans have suffered in centuries. The Black Americans were slaves and only after a civil war between north and south they could get free from slavery. The racism and the slight continued and they were too severe until the beginning of the past century. But their efforts made it possible, that gradually, through sufferings, maltreatments, murders and racism they could succeed in winning their rights and today the American President is a black man, with the slogan “Yeas, we can!”. The Black Americans touched their dream because they could.

And what about the Chams?! If the Chams work with a high conscience and with a contemporary organization, where everybody gives his contribution and the contributions are not misused, but they are efficiently used, in order to achieve the high intention for the materialization of their dream, in order to get back to the ancestor’s lands and to take the inherited properties, then they will be able to reach that, which today seems impossible. And the Chams have a lively example for this, Kosovo.

I once was in Fushë-Krujë to the dentist. I was trying to explain to a man from Kruja that Kosovo was going to win independence one day but he objected. “It will never be independent!”- He said. And I added: “Kosovo will become independent for those who work and believe that it can be independent. You will see that!” We were lucky enough to have George Bush in Albania and in Fushë-Krujë he announced that Kosovo will be an independent country. The independence was reached with work and sacrifices and it will be kept such with efforts.

In their fair attempts, the Chams should focus on the find of a political and spiritual leader, like Kosovo’s people found Dr. Ibrahim Rugova. They should pay a symbolic contribution (Kosovo’s emigrants pay 3% of their salary) for this common organization because without money no work can be done in the present-day chancelleries. And they should become conscious for the reality that surrounds them, because no one can help them more than themselves.

“The diplomacy of self-denial” can become a solution key, if a good part of the Chams work and sacrifice their time and just a little from their fortune, as the patriot Shefki Hysa does, for this common and fair issue. Successes don’t come by themselves– they come only if we work to realize them.

Translated by: Lorena Uliu