March 22 is Sultan Nowruz Day. Nowruz is a Public Holiday in Albania, and is much celebrated, especially by Bektashi believers.  Nowruz (literally “new day”) is the name of the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year.  Sultan Nowruz Day is related to the birthday of Imam Ali in Kaaba. In this day everything is revived, there is hope, a resurrection for all mankind. It is a new day when everyone is hoping for a better future.

“Nowruz” comes from Persian and means “New Day”, while “Sultan” is the high title that points to the importance of this day.  Sultan Nowruz’s holiday has arrived in Albanian lands along with Bektashi faith in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the twentieth century and especially amongst it, this celebration has become a nationwide manifestation.

In Albania Nowruz Day, the most important holiday of Bektashism, was proclaimed as a national holiday in 1996. The Bektashi Sect is largely located in the south of the country, while it has a considerable extension in the territory of the Republic of Albania. 

On March 22, 1373, the Embroidery of the Epitaph of Gllavenica was completed, the second of its kind in Europe for the century XIV. The epitaph is a masterpiece of medieval Albanian art that in terms of importance goes beyond the borders of Albania.

On March 22, 1908, Fan Noli celebrated the first mass in the Albanian language in Boston, United States of America. On that same day, the first Albanian church across the Atlantic, the church of Saint George was founded.

On March 22, 1910, the first Albanian school was opened in Labovë, with the help of the “Drita” club of Gjirokastra.

On March 22, 1935, the prominent Albanian artist Aleksandër Moisiu passed away in Vienna. From 1898, 43 leading roles on the biggest stages of the world and 12 roles in cinematography in the first European studios and up to Hollywood. He died at the age of 56 in Vienna, where his remains rest.

/k.s/