we are ILLYRIANS

ILIR=LIBERTY

The western part of the Balkan is known to the ancient epoch as Illyria. The Illyrians, a group of Indo-European tribes, have been in the area since at least 1000 BC. Our region becomes prosperous during the Roman empire and is devastated by the subsequent passage of Visigoths and Huns (and other country). But our forefather don’t fought them because, however destructive, they only merely pass through.The next to arrive in the Balkans, in the 6th century , was the Slavs - and they come to stay. Gradually they predominate in the entire region of Illyria except for mountainous Albania. The Albanians become the only identifable group descending directly from the Illyrians. In its strategic but exposed position, Albania is a pawn in the shifting patterns of power through the centuries. It is in the Byzantine empire, it is prey to Norman adventurers from southern Italy, it is in the Latin empire of Constantinople, its ports are occupied by Venice and finally it is absorbed within the Ottoman empire. Early rule by the Turks is repeatedly frustrated by the achievements of our national hero, Skanderbeg. Son of an princely family, he is taken as a hostage to Istanbul and is brought up to be a Muslim warrior. But when sent into service in the Balkans, he changes sides, proclaims himself a Christian and leads a movement to liberate his people. From 1443 to 1467 Skanderbeg frustrates a succession
of Turkish armies sent to subdue him, on occasion even armies led in person by the sultans Murad and Mehmed II. But after his death, in 1468, Albania sinks into an uninterrupted four centuries of subjection to Turkish rule.Albania becomes fully absorbed into the Ottoman empire.
Education was only in Turkish; the only chance of advancement is in the Turkish administration or army. Eventually more than two thirds of the population of our country are Muslim, and the rest being divided between Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox. The Balkan upheavals of 1912 begin in Albania.they made success and this success stirs the Balkan states to action, but the worst thing was their plans to divide Albania. In October 1912 Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria go to war against Turkey.The allies rapidly make inroads into Macedonia and Albania. In the east the Bulgarians push the Turks back to their defensive lines near Istanbul. In the west the Greeks move into southern Albania and the Serbians reach the Adriatic, capturing the port of Durres on November 28. On the same day at Vlore, the Albanians declare their independence and set up their first national government. But the issue is now taken into international hands.Austria-Hungary, in particular, is determined not to have a strengthened Serbia on her southern border. This was plus for our people and our country but the price was Kosovo.A conference of ambassadors of the relevant powers (Italy, Austria-Hungary, Russia, the Ottoman empire) convenes in London in December to discuss the issue. It is agreed that the independence of Albania should be recognized. So we must be together for a better life. Politics don’t help us .they think only for themselves. Albania now days isn’t only 140 peopleWe must show that we love Albania,we love the life, live here and peaceful.Before was a dream called Indipendence,our parents also have a dream called Democracy and we must have a dream and I think it should be called Future.And the way to arrive our purposes is only working,studying and don’t forgetting what we are, we are ILLYRIANS.

Gentjan Balo