The Albanian flag was raised on Tuesday afternoon at Bowling Green Park in Lower Manhattan in a ceremony marking the 113th anniversary of Albania’s Independence Day. The event was organized by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Community Affairs Unit, and the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. This year’s program followed several community celebrations held from late November to early December. Although Mayor Eric Adams did not attend, officials noted that this was the final flag-raising of his term.

Vanesa Limani, Staten Island Borough Director at the Community Affairs Unit, served as the emcee. Imam Tahir Kukaj delivered the opening prayer. Arthur Piccolo, Chairman of the Bowling Green Association, provided a brief historical overview, including the origins of the Albanian flag-raising tradition at this location, first started in the mid-1990s by Albanian workers at 26 Broadway.

Three community members — Fitim Shabani, Vlera Sela, and Mary Camaj — were recognized with citations. Former NYC Council Member Mark Gjonaj also received a citation for his ongoing contributions to the Albanian-American community. Ambassador Suela Janina, Albania’s Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered remarks on the importance of the ceremony. The children’s choir “Kënga Jonë,” directed by Blina Selimaj, performed two Albanian songs.

During the ceremony, Commissioner Manuel Castro and Program Manager Vera Mjeku unveiled the new “New York Albanians” animation, a year-long project highlighting underrepresented communities in the city.