True Parents party arrived safely in Tirana, Rinas airport in the morning around 10:40. The party was guided to VIP lounge then True Parents started a very busy and active schedule. At 11:00 o'clock they had to meet with Dr. Sali Berisha (Prime Minister of Albanian Government). The meeting lasted 15 minutes and was a very wonderful meeting. Then at 13:00 o'clock True Parents had to meet Mr. Alfred Moisiu (President of Republic of Albania). It was a very great meeting, very special, warm and practical. Both of these meetings were held in Durres, a city near to seaside and very near to Tirana.

In addition to our members many VIP came to wait for True Parents at the airport. It was Mr. Gaqo Apostoli, Mrs. Rubena Moisiu (Director of Maternity of Tirana), who together with our national leader, offered flowers to True Parents at the airport, Mr. Nard Ndoka (Member of Parliament), Astrit Memia (Director of Information for Democratic Party), Vladimir Lame etc. Actually all of them are Ambassadors for Peace.

It was a hard time for our national leader, Mr. Gani Rroshi to get the permission from Albanian Government for True Parents to enter through VIP lounge. Actually, 5 years ago, when True Mother visited Albania, we got this kind of permission only 1 hour before her arrival at the airport. This time, we got the permission two days before True Parents arrival. Also the meetings with the President of Albania and with the Prime Minister were decided two days before True Parents visit to Albania. I have to admit the great help we received from the members of National Peace Council and especially Mr. Gaqo Apostoli, and Mr. Astrit Memia who were working closely with Mr. Gani Rroshi to set meetings and make invitations for high-level personalities.

True Parents arrived at the Sharaton Hotel around 2 o'clock afternoon, after having met the President and Prime Minister of Albania. One team of security brothers was waiting at the Sheraton Hotel and the other team of security was guarding in front of Congress Hall. With the help and guidance of an elder brother from America, our Albanian brothers who took responsibility of the security could manage very well. True Parents had very little time to rest because soon the main event started. Brothers and sisters continued to work hard until the last moment, but at 5 o'clock afternoon everything was ready. The first group of people arrived at 15:30. They were the members and guests from Shkodra, a city in North of Albania who had filled 5 buses. 20 of them were VIP. Later, many other cities guests arrived. Actually more then half of invitees came from another cities. At 4 o'clock the stream of people started to flow smoothly in the Congress Hall of Tirana. Actually during the whole mobilization we were very concerned about the number of people would come to the event. In a very short time we could spread out around 8 thousand invitation so we were expecting more then 4 thousand people who come to the event while the capacity of the hall is not more then 2 500 people. Most of the invitations were spread out through our fulltime members and our home members. They invited all their relatives, friends and contacts. Many times in our evening meetings Mr. Chang, our regional leader, had to discuss seriously about how to do if all of them come. Therefore we decided to rent another hall, which is called Academy of Arts, and which is situated very near to Congress Hall. Its capacity was not more then 500 seats, so we still remain concerned about this matter.

Finally the hall was packed up from 5 o'clock pm, but people was still coming even after 5:00. Many of our members had to leave their seats to the guests. All together 2 800 people participated in the True Parents speech.

One day prior to True Parents visit we held a Press Conference in Rogner Hotel, where five TVs and Newspapers came to receive information. In the same day we saw in two national TVs the program about our Press Conference. It was well done. The news was very positive and informative for Albanian people. It was our national leader, Mr. Gani Rroshi, who opened the Press Conference, and then Mr. Gaqo Apostoli, who is the chairman of National Peace Council for Albania continued to give answer to some of the questions of the journalists. In the podium were present other members of National Peace Council as well. It was Mr. Ali Lacej and Mrs. Lavdie Ruci. Other members of National Peace Council were supporting this Press Conference through their presence. Mr. Halid Muharremi (Muslim Theologian), Mr. Astrit Memia, Mr. Vladimir Lame (Former Journalist and studying PhD about international relationships), Mr. Dalip Cota (Professor at Philological Faculty), etc.

I should say that we made a good foundation through the Symposium we held in Ohrid 13-16 October. Around 90 participants were listening to Divine Principle Lectures given by our elder brother Mr. Tim Miller. Many high-level VIP were inspired from the life and work of our True Father. Almost all of them got the certificate of Ambassadors of Peace. From that moment on they promised to do their best in order to welcome True Parents in the way they deserve.

The event started at 5:10 pm with a nice artistic program prepared by our brother Chris Davis in cooperation with Mrs. Suzana Turku, who is member of National Peace Council and in the same time recently appointed as Vice Minister of Culture in Albania.

Our sister, Suzana Rexhepi was MC. She had many things to clarify and coordinate, so often she was very nervous and worried.

At 4:30 Rev. Kwak came to VIP reception hosting around 50 VIP from all fields of society. 6 of them were Members of Parliament, Former President of Albania, Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani, and many other personalities. After that the VIPs took their seats in the main hall and the program began. 200 other VIP could not participate in VIP reception with Reverend Kwak and Dr. Tomas Wallsh, but they came directly to the event.

The stage was arranged wonderfully with the help of brothers and sisters from Albania and abroad. A very nice song sang by Blessed family Davis made the audience feel very joyful and happy. After many sleepless nights, our brother Chris Davis succeeded in his responsibility.

In the beginning, Mr. Gaqo Apostoli gave a warm welcoming remarc. Later Mrs. Suzana Frasheri ( famous soprano and Professor at Faculty of Fine Arts) sang the salutatory song.

Mr. Edmond Brahimaj (Representative of Bectashian Community) was invited to the stage to give his address, where he expressed the warm welcome to our True Parents.

Prof. Dr. Dalip Shkurtaj and his wife were invited to the stage to perform the Blessing Ceremony.

Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani (Former President of Albania) who is member of Global Peace Council was invited to the stage to welcome True Parents in Albania. He is very popular politician in our country therefore his word was very important. His was presenting True Parents in a very warm and respectful way. He concluded his word by reciting in a very artistic way the Crown of Glory of True Father. He himself had tried to translate and make it fit to Albanian language.

Right after that True Father was invited to the stage and his speech began. True Father was interrupted several times by the strong applauds of the audience.

In the end, a couple of Ambassadors for Peace offered flowers to True Parents. Right after that True Father offered his bouquet of flowers to Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani who was sitting in the audience just in front of Father.

Mr. Gaqo Apostoli offered to True Father the plaque of appreciation.

Mr. Astrit Memia , (our Ambasador for Peace), on behalf of Prime Minister of Albania, offered a gift to True Father.

Chairman of IIFWP, Rev. Kwak, Rev. Song, and Dr. Tomas Wallsh came to the stage in order to give the medal of LGG to Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani and the title of Ambassadors for Peace to Mr. Avni Mula (Artist and great singer of Albania), to Mr. Nasi Lera (Famous writer of Albania) and to Prof. Dr. Sadik Murati from Shkodra.

A wonderful dance of a group of young boys and girls followed the program. Then Irini Qiriako and his group sang a number of beautiful popular songs. People were happy and joyful. They were singing and dancing. At one moment looked completely like an Albanian marriage ceremony. It was the marriage of the lamb in Albania. All members and guests enjoyed in maximum this opportunity. Through this event, symbolically, the wholel Albanian nation participated in the marriage of the lamb. They seem to receive a lot o blessing form True Parents visit to Albania.

Thank you True Parents for this wonderful and unforgettable day for Albanian history.

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