September 29 of each year has been declared the National Day of Cultural Heritage in Albania.

The dedication and sacrifice of all those who have contributed to the foundation and study of this heritage, as well as the work and life of those who have sacrificed directly for it is at the center of this day is.

In declaring this National Day as Cultural Heritage, the sublime act of the Albanian soldier Kamber Bënja, who in 1916 protected the archeological richness of Apollonia of Illyria.

The commemoration of this day foresees that all cultural and heritage institutions organize various cultural activities.

Kamber Bënja was an activist of the patriotic movement, who was born in Bënja of Këlcyra. He took his first lessons in Përmet, to continue in Korça, Janina/Ioannina and Selanik/Thessaloniki.

With the Declaration of Independence, he entered in the service of the National Government of Vlora as a career military officer. Kamber Bënja took command of the Albanian battalion, opposing WWI invaders who sought to plunder the country’s cultural treasures found during excavations.  For this reason, Kamber Bënja together with two other officers, Bexhet Manastirliu and Abaz Taushani, were sentenced to death.

 Major Kamber Bënja is declared a Martyr of the Motherland.

/a.p./