The Republic of Albania
is a small nation in southeastern Europe on the west coast of the Balkan
peninsula. Canadian Albanians have their roots in Albania, although the
country of their birth could be Yugoslavia, Greece or Albania itself.
Additionally, there are ethnic Albanians in Yugoslavia - "Shqipetare"
(Sons of the Eagle) - and Albanians who live in Greece. Albanians from
Albania are divided into 2 main dialect groups: the Ghegs from the
northern half of the country and the Tosks from the southern half of
Albania. About 70% of Albanians are Muslims: 20% belong to the Orthodox
Church and 10% are Roman Catholic.
The first Albanians arrived in Canada at the beginning of the century,
following internal pre-war revolutionary upheavals. Few immigrated to
Canada after WWII. Most of the post-war Albanian immigrants settled in
either Montréal or Toronto. Some found jobs in Calgary and a few in
small communities in Ontario (eg, Peterborough).
After the inter-ethnic conflict in the former Yugoslavia between ethnic
Albanians and Serbian military and police forces, many Albanians left
Kosovo as refugees. Some have come to Canada, and in 1999 the Canadian
government created a program to offer safe haven to 7000 Albanian
Kosovar refugees.
However, they continue to appreciate their ethnic heritage and their
Albanian national history, even though their ancestors may have left
Albania several centuries ago. Those Albanians from Albania proper are
active in their business and social organizations. They are frequently
found in the food service industry.
According to the 2006 census, there were 22 395 Albanians in Canada, of
which 11 385 (51%) were located in Toronto. This is an approximation
because it has been shown that 2nd- and 3rd-generation Canadians of
Albanian origin may not specifically name their ethnic background.
Therefore, the real number of Albanians in Canada remains an estimate,
and their sociocultural activities and festivals for the most part
represent local communities and groups of families. Albanians are
strongly patriarchal, and often live in extended family households.
Albanians have rich folkloric traditions, especially music, dance and
traditional clothing.
Albanians in Canada
What Albanians are like
Albanian Culture TV në Toronto: Pjesa e
Pare
Albanian Canadian Events present Dorina
Tiko live ne Koncertin e madh te Pranveres 2013 ne Canada.
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