In Boston, the United States , the first issue of the newspaper “Dielli” (“The Sun”), a political, social, literary, cultural, economic, pedagogical, etc. newspaper was published. Some of the writings were published in English. In October 1909, the management of the newspaper “Dielli” (“The Sun”) was taken over by Faik Konica, who was invited for this purpose by the society “Besa-Besën”. From no. 148 (May 2, 1912) it became an organ of the Pan-Albanian Federation of America “Vatra”. Throughout its life, the newspaper “Dielli” (“The Sun”) has been one of the most important tribunes of the Albanian issue. It has supported the movements for the liberation and independence of Albania; has opposed the chauvinist policy of the neighboring countries towards Albania and has continuously propagated the idea of uniting and organizing the Albanian people in a state with a defined political, economic, cultural and educational program, according to the models of western democracies. In the years 1920–1924, “Dielli” (“The Sun”) gave strong support to Fan Noli’s reformist politics and progressive programs. For this reason, in December 1922 and May 1923, the newspaper was banned from entering Albania. With the triumph of the Democratic Revolution of June 1924, it supported Fan Noli and his government, but did not spare its criticism. From 1925 to 1939, the newspaper’s ideology and politics became pro-monarchist and, for a very short time, pro-fascist. Due to internal contradictions in “Vatra”, in the years 1936-1939, two “Dielli” newspapers were published, one in Boston (Mass.) and another in Detroit (Mich.). During this period “Dielli” lost a significant number of readers. In the early years after World War II, “Dielli” (“The Sun”) greeted the victory of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War of the Albanian people alongside the Great Anti-Fascist Alliance, supported Albania’s request to join the UN; supported the new regime established in Albania, but since the late 1950s, harshly criticized the dictatorial policies of Enver Hoxha, reprisals, injustices, denial of human rights, etc. At the head of the “Dielli” (“The Sun”) newspaper were publicists and political personalities, such as Fan Noli, Faik Konica, K. Floqi, K. Dako, Kostë Çekrezi, Loni P. Kristo, A.S. Frashëri, N. Drizari, Q. Panariti, Xh. Kallajxhi, A. Pipa, etc. Since the 90s, although it has not been published regularly, “Dielli” (“The Sun”) has reflected life, problems and economic, political, cultural, artistic, etc. activities of Albanian immigrants in the USA, as well as democratic developments in the homeland. (In the photo: The first issue of the newspaper “Dielli”(“The Sun”).)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 1, Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 477.
Photo: © https://www.syri.net/
Graphic processing: AHCF
