Alba Life TV in New York City celebrates its 5th anniversary

Hundreds of Albanian-American gathered last week for the celebration of the 5th anniversary of Alba Life TV, an Albanian American station based in Staten Island.              A vidio message from New York City sent by Mayor Michael Bloomberg pointed to the growing presence and importance of the local Albanian-American community. Among dhe guests who spoke at the event were Mark Gjonaj, the first Albanian-American member of the New York State Assembly and Stephen B Kaufman, a wellknown layer, activist and friend of the Albanian-American community.             A rich program with music and songs included singers and musicians such as Merita Halili, Lindita Mezini Lole, Remi Jakupi, Bledar Maqellara etc...  Well-known actor Pajazit Murtishi took the stage to recite a poem.             During the evening, Alba Life TV honored a number of personalities and institutions of the Albanian community, friends and supporters, among which Amir Suka Program Director of Alba Life our Illyria newspaper, Petrika Melo, Artistic Director of Alba Life TV, Ana e Malit, Association and chairman Ismet Kurti, Tony Dovolani an Albanian artist of internatioanl fame, Mark Gjonaj, Kadri Capri a successful businessman and activist, Gertold Belliu of Albanian Culture TV and Steve B Kaufman.             Alba Life TV was launched 5 years ago in New York, with the goal of serving and promoting the Albanian culture in the Diaspora.  Founded by Mr. and Mrs. Qemal and Kozeta Zylo, Alba Life TV is part of Alba Life Inc. With their passion and vision, Mr. and Mrs. Zylo have made instrumental contribution to the enrichment of the Albanian culture across the country and around the world. In its early days, Alba Life TV began its activity by broadcasting the work of “Alba Life” Albanian School in Staten Island.  Similar to the school activity which now it also includes a site in Brooklyn, Alba Life TV has since expanded its repertoire by including interviews of many acclaimed Albanian figures that play important roles in the world of arts, business, science and entertainment. Alba Life TV has been acknowledged and recognized by the mayor of New York City, Mr. Michael Bloomberg, along with other well known personalities, such as Stan Dragoti, Toni Dovolani, Eliza Dushku, Saimir Pirgu, Fadil Berisha, Emina Cunmulaj and so on.  In addition, Alba Life TV continues to broadcast the work of various Albanian events primarily in the tri-state area.  From its unbiased reports, Alba Life TV has established itself as one of the most reliable sources for the accuracy of the most important events in the Diaspora. Some of these recent events include the 20 year Anniversary of the Illyria newspaper and its celebration event of the 5 year Anniversary of Independence of Kosovo, the 70 Year Anniversary of VOA (Voice of America) in Albanian, the 100 Year Anniversary of “Vatra”, and the 15 Year Anniversary of Albanian Culture TV.  Likewise, it has covered a series of activities and events brought together by organizations such as “Ana e Malit”; Albanian Roots”; “Devolli’; “Çamëria”; “NAAC”; “Shoqata e shkrimtarëve”; “Forumi për demokraci”, and numerous other events.  In 2012, Alba Life TV was instrumental in covering the different events celebrating Albania’s 100 years of Independence in New York City.  Additionally, Alba Life TV continues to cover a series of events where various Albanian-Americans are running for various official positions in the American politics.  In 2012, Alba Life TV founders in collaboration with Petrika Melo and various talented Albanian artists well-recognized in their fields, such as Lindita Mezini Lole, organized the 1st Albanian Classical Concert in Manhattan, NY. Aside from broadcasting its programs in Staten Island and Brooklyn on a weekly basis, Alba Life TV’s programs have been featured on the digital package “Diaspora,” for the last few years.               Lastly, this year Alba Life TV was included as part of the digital package of TV ALB where Albanian’s throughout the world can subscribe to it.              The quality of Alba Life TV’s work would not be one of the best of its kind without the efforts of its staff and associates. Since its early months, Alba Life TV collaborated with Mr. Amir Suka who is recognized in the Tri-State area for his work and expertise on television and is also the recipient of two Emmy Awards in NY.   Amir is part of the Alba Life TV staff and serves as its Program Director.              The staff of Alba Life TV has expanded with the help of Skender Pali, Klodiana Halsted, Odise Salillari, Todd Watkins, Miri Mehmeti, among others.              The founders and staff of Alba Life TV took advantage of the celebration to express their gratitude to everyone who became part of these first five years of the Alba Life TV. May 25th, 2013