Albanian Independence Day at the Hall

Seton Hall University's Albanian Student Organization (ASO) is gearing up to host its first-ever Albanian Independence Celebration Night, a highly anticipated event aimed at bringing together students, faculty, alumni and members of the broader Albanian community to celebrate Albanian culture and heritage. Scheduled to take place at 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., November 14, 2024, at Bethany Hall BC, marking a monumental milestone for the organization as it continues to build its presence on campus as this is only their second semester as an official student organization on campus.

This celebration is in honor of Albania's Independence Day, which is officially celebrated on November 28. This day commemorates Albania's Declaration of Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. The event aligns with ASO's mission to promote cultural awareness and pride among students especially those of Albanian descent, while also sharing Albanian history and traditions with the Seton Hall community at large.

Under the leadership of Nancy Kajo, the president and founder of ASO, the organization has been working tirelessly to ensure this event will successfully reflect the significance of Albania's Independence Day while offering an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all attendees. ASO has joined forces with other Albanian Student Organizations at Rutgers University, St Francis College, Princeton and many more to come.

Club Advisor and Catholic Studies Program Chair, Ines Murzaku, Ph.D., shared a few words in regard to the event: "It is essential to demonstrate cultural sensitivity towards the diverse heritages that surround us. Diversity should not only be celebrated but actively embraced, and the Albanian Student Organization at Seton Hall University exemplifies this. The university, as a hub for intellectual exchange, fosters dialogue at its highest level, and the ASO members have shown commendable maturity in engaging in these discussions. I am truly proud of their efforts. Furthermore, collaborating with other universities enhances this experience and is an invaluable opportunity for growth."

The night will feature a variety of cultural performances by the Albanian American Cultural Center in RIverdale, NJ, traditional Albanian music and dance and lots of good food. Another amazing aspect of this event that brings a sense of uniqueness to campus events, is that Albanian Student Organizations from other universities in NJ and NY have agreed to join forces on ASO's mission at Seton Hall. Members of Albanian Student Organizations from Princeton, Ramapo, Rutgers, St Francis and more- will be in attendance on the night of November 14.

Tickets for entry to this event are priced at $5, with all proceeds going toward a charitable cause in Albania. While the specifics of the cause are still being finalized, ASO is committed to making sure the funds support something meaningful for the people directly in Albania. This aligns with the ASO's mission of not only celebrating Albanian culture but also giving back to the homeland.

Event Coordinator of ASO Arta Boljevic, also shared her excitement for November 14: "I am extremely excited to be able to help plan Seton Hall's first ever Albanian Day Independence Day celebration alongside our president, Nancy. This event will be a beautiful dedication to our culture and showcase our beautiful traditions. Join us for a day filled with traditional music and dancing, delicious food, raffles and so much more. This is an opportunity to come together as a community and share our heritage with friends and family. Save the date, we can't wait to show you a glimpse into our beautiful culture."

The Albanian Student Organization at Seton Hall hopes this event will be the first of many annual celebrations of Albanian Independence. RSVP and ticket information can be found by clicking this link.

Categories: Arts and Culture, Nation and World