When a holiday brings all people together Tomorrow, the entire Western world celebrates Christmas, that is, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Naturally, this is a religious holiday of concern to all Christians. But over time it has become the most widely celebrated holiday in the Western world. With this holiday, whose origins date back to the fourth century, the Church wished to emphasize one of the truths of the faith, the most important one for Catholicism: the divine being’s human nature as well. Naturally, such a holiday could not concern Muslims. Although the Koran recognizes that Jesus Christ was one of the greatest prophets, who foretold the coming of Muhammad and was born through the extraordinary intervention of God, it does not attribute a divine nature to Mary’s son. So there is no reason to celebrate it, even though the Muslim calendar of holidays is quite limited: in practice, there are only two holidays, corresponding to the end of the holy month of fasting (Ramadan) and the beginning of the period designated for making the pilgrimage to Mecca. As for Orthodox Christians, there is no fundamental disagreement about the Christmas holiday. The date (December 25) on which it is celebrated is disputed. For this reason, the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas according to its calendar, that is, a few days later. This calendar issue has always remained a kind of shadow over Christmas, because popular belief has regarded December 25 as quite literally the true date. The Catholic Church, in fact, has explained several times that this is a symbolic date, the product of earlier traditions, because nobody has been able to state the exact day on which Jesus Christ was born. What we have said so far should not lead anyone to think that celebrating Christmas is a holiday only for believers. Ancient traditions and ties—or rather, the continuance of earlier rites—have made Christmas the most widely celebrated holiday, regardless of the faith one practices. It is one of the few instances in which very different realities have managed to come together around an old tradition. A contrast for everyone is Easter, the day on which Jesus’s resurrection is celebrated: it has remained a particularly religious holiday and is observed only in accordance with Catholic tradition. According to some scholars, December 25 was chosen as the date to coincide with the pagan feast of the Sun, which celebrated the earth. In fact, it should not be forgotten that the winter solstice occurred around these days, bringing an increase in light and daylight, as if it were the dawn of a new day. It is because of this symbolism of light and cult- of earlier forms of Christianity, many celebrations, still today, are connected with Christmas. For example, the tree: one of the oldest traditions, which generally involved a large log being burned on Christmas Day. While it burned, people could dance around the tree, sing and drink. In the end, the embers were kept to ward off bad luck and lightning, or scattered over the fields to bring a good harvest. This last tradition was also widespread in Albania. The second group of traditions is more recent (after the sixteenth century) and provides for a tree to be decorated and adorned, becoming the symbol and heart of the celebration. Small gifts and sweets, and even cards with jokes written on them, were placed at the base of the tree and were intended for family members. The holiday was always accompanied by traditional songs and dances, almost the entire inheritance of ancient New Year rites. The tradition of exchanging gifts led to the creation of a fantastical character who has different names in different countries and arrives on different days: in most countries he is called Babo Natale (December 25), in others Santa Klaus (December 6). In Albania there is also Plaku i Vitit të Vjetër, the Old Year’s Man, who comes with a sack of gifts at the great celebration held at the end of the year, on the night of December 31. He meets the New Year (a little child dressed like the Old Year’s Man), and they hand over the baton of the years. The tradition of the crib (cave) of Jesus, called presepe, is very widespread; it involves creating—with considerable imagination—the setting in which Jesus was born. Figures made from various materials are used to depict characters such as shepherds, sheep and lambs, angels, and the Holy Family. The tradition was introduced by Saint Francis, the first to think of creating the scene of Jesus’s birth, in the thirteenth century. In many parts of Italy it is traditional to create a presepe with living characters. We have said that Christmas has become the greatest holiday in the Western world, even though its consumerist aspect—that is, the practices associated with gifts—has now spread to other countries as well. By accepting this holiday as one of its official holidays, Albania has once again demonstrated not only its desire to enter the Western world, but also its great religious tolerance, a fundamental principle of a truly democratic state. [unclear] create a fantastic character who takes different names in different places called Babo Natale (December 25), in others Santa Claus (December 6), and in still others he is called Befana (January 6). These are always characters who bring gifts and are therefore connected with New Year rituals. Albania, too, has gifts to the big night of December 31, and Old Year’s Man); they exchange the baton of the years. The tradition of the grotto (cave) of Jesus Christ, called a presepe, is widespread: that is, the creation—with plenty of imagination—of the setting in which Jesus was born. Figurines made from various materials are used to portray different first to conceive of creating the scene of Jesus’ birth, in the 13th create a presepe with living characters. We said that Christmas has become the biggest holiday in the Western world, even though its commercial aspect—that is, the customs connected with gifts—has by now spread to other countries too. By making this holiday one of its official celebrations, a fundamental principle of a truly democratic state.

TIRANA — Once again, an alarm over the contamination of drinking water. Daily tests carried out by specialists from the Directorate of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Tirana have shown that the water flowing through the pipes supplying homes on “Muhamet Gjollesha,” “Gjikë Kualji,” “Grigor Haxhi” and “Margarita Tutulani” streets is infected. Although work is still under way to find the source of the infection, specialists explain that the cause is the same as in the 12 other similar cases this year: sewage flowing into drinking-water pipes. In October, dozens of residents were poisoned by such contamination, and one person was even admitted to hospital as an emergency. The ageing network of pipes—which, hygiene specialists explain, develops faults in different places from time to time—is the main precondition for contamination. In addition, Tirana’s existing network has around 20,000 intersections between drinking-water pipes and sewage pipes, where the risk of infection is greater. The lack of an ample water supply, and the vacuum it creates in the water-supply pipes, is another factor worsening the situation. Despite the constant care of hygiene-sector employees, who conduct daily tests at 13 points in the water-supply system, and the partial repairs carried out on the pipe network, the situation remains very difficult and the spread of infections through the water ... Christmas Eve. This evening everyone will celebrate Christmas, some in places of worship, some with their families, but some may have to remain at work. Aleksandër Meksi, Prime Minister of the Albanian Government: “I don’t know whether I will...”

All faiths offer one another their best wishes TIRANA — Tonight, the Christmas festivities will reign throughout Albania. Christmas / How public figures will celebrate the holy day TIRANA — Tonight the Christmas festivities will reign throughout Albania. Celebrated for centuries by people all over the globe—almost since Christ himself was born—for Albanians this holiday seems very new, barely three years old. Because Christmas, like every other religious holiday, had been imprisoned by the regime of the new god, or dictator Hoxha. But in any case, this is one more reason for Albanians to rejoice. Among them are Albanian politicians, who increasingly prefer to spend these holidays with their families, away from platforms and families. The birth of Christ will be a celebration for them too, as it is for all other Albanian citizens and believers, although they tell the Gazeta Shqiptare things on the occasion of wishing their compatriots well. For the first time, prominent figures in Albanian politics are not afraid to talk about the intimate moments of a holiday. In Albania, Muslims, Orthodox and Catholics wish one another a happy Christmas. “This is truly a precious thing,” Ismail Kadare tells Gazeta Shqiptare, wishing his people a happy Christmas from France. This evening everyone will begin celebrating Christmas, some in holy places, at work. Aleksandër Meksi, Pjetër Arbnori, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly: “What better wish could we have before Christmas? We are free, we live as we choose, and nobody prevents us from doing anything. What is more, we live with hope for a better future. I will spend Christmas with my family. Naturally, this holiday is a special joy for me too, because I need a little peace and quiet.” Tomorr Dosti, Deputy Chairman of the PD: “I wish the entire Albanian people a ‘Merry Christmas.’ I too will spend this holiday with my family here in Tirana.” Servet Pëllumbi, Deputy Chairman of the PS: “I will spend Christmas with my family. It is a beautiful and pleasant holiday at the end of the year. A year that here in Albania was full of difficulties and problems, but also a year of hope for a better future.” “Merry Christmas” for this holiday.” Gaqo Apostolli, Secretary-General of the PSD: “I would offer people nothing but a heartfelt wish for the beautiful Christmas holiday. I myself will spend Christmas Eve with a relative of my family in Rome.” Sabri Godo, Chairman of the PR: “I wish everyone a happy Christmas holiday. I too will celebrate Christmas Eve here in Tirana with my family.” Neritan Ceka, President of the PAD: “I would like to offer my wishes for Christmas, and also for the New Year, as holidays of a European nature. I have not yet decided where I will spend Christmas, but I know I will be with my family. This is the first time I have celebrated it. My mother, perhaps a Muslim, has always celebrated all these holidays; it was a family tradition.” These are the people of Albanian politics offering their good wishes. Muslims, Orthodox and Catholics, yet celebrating Christmas together. This is the Albanian magic of the Christmas holiday. Tonight — the Catholic Church — and tomorrow morning — the Autocephalous Orthodox Church — will hold their religious ceremonies for the Birth of Christ. Also joining in the joy of this holiday, having returned from abroad, will be Monsignor Ivan Dziad and the Orthodox leader Janullatos. In just a few hours, candles will be lit in Albania for a holiday both old and new, just like the people of this land themselves. Isaak Kadare: I will spend Christmas in France, in Paris. Here everyone traditionally spends the holiday with their families, because it is a family holiday. We have been invited by a family who are our friends in Paris, so we will celebrate together with them. In this troubled time, full of intolerance, people in Albania naturally offer one another good wishes for someone else’s holiday, and that is truly something very precious. On this occasion, I wish that we rediscover and cultivate love for one another, so that we may have more peace, hope and understanding. A stall selling New Year’s items on the streets of Sarajevo

...of the symbolism of light and cult- With this note, Gazeta Shqiptare does not wish to tell readers what it will do: the newspaper will ... readers on this December 25. The newspaper will ... by the editorial staff of Gazeta Shqiptare.

FAR provides 300 thousand dollars TIRANA — The waters of Lake Pogradec will also be protected. A project by the Committee for the Preservation and Protection of the Environment provides for continuous, ongoing monitoring of pollutants in the lake. At present, all the city’s runoff and industrial discharges flow into it. A collector that would gather and treat all this waste—one has been built by the Macedonian side—is still lacking. “Nevertheless, we have a study supported by the FAR programme,” Lirim Bejfo, Director of tells Gazeta Shqiptare. “There will be 300 thousand dollars to manage discharges into Lake Pogradec.” The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy has also drawn up a project of its own to avoid the negative effects of mining activity in this area. (p.r.)

INSIDE 100 students surveyed Love or career? Boys choose feelings, girls prefer both ON PAGE 3

From Germany, Zhirinovski makes new threats ON PAGE 2

PUKË — “There is corruption in the Pukë court.” — “There is corruption in the Pukë court.” This time the accusation comes from the law-enforcement authorities. The release of a defendant accused of murdering a police officer, as well as the lack of necessary cooperation between the Justice and law-enforcement authorities in this case, has caused considerable concern among the Police. “These actions give reason to suspect elements of corruption — so Pjetër Prendi, Chief of the Pukë Police Commissariat, told ATSH — there are dozens of such suspicious actions by the Pukë court.”

GAZETA SHQIPTARE JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1994 Today, a useful gift for our readers: with every copy of the newspaper, a «Gazeta Shqiptare» calendar will be given away. So hurry and buy the newspaper today, and we wish you a Happy New Year!

A DETAILED PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL TOURISM — A plan by the Ministry of Culture will promote the development of tourism in the country’s historic cities. This kind of tourism will offer foreign visitors not only a new audience but also buyers who will encourage the production of artistic handicrafts. The plan also includes projects for developing cultural tourism in the Berat-Adriatik-Apoloni, Butrint-Ksamili-Sarandë and Gjirokastër areas. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS INCREASING IN DURRËS — From 2,115 at the beginning of this year, the number of individuals engaged in commercial, artisan and transport activities in the Durrës district has risen to 3,880. The number of private companies has also increased significantly. Around 150 new companies have been established this year alone, employing 1,400 workers. IN BERAT, PRIVATE BAKERIES SECURE UNJUSTIFIED BENEFITS — The state has lost 2 million lekë as a result of abusive actions carried out by four bakery owners in the Berat district. By submitting fictitious documents to the district finance office to claim subsidies, they obtained unjustified funding. Thus, the Kulltasi bakery unlawfully received 1 million and 311 thousand lekë, the bakery in the village of Hingë received 500,000 lekë, and a private operator in Lapardha — who has neither a bakery nor a mill — was granted 304,000 lekë.

With this note, Gazeta Shqiptare does not announce to readers what it will do: the newspaper will listen to its readers on December 25. The newspaper is to send [unclear] from the editorial office of Gazeta Shqiptare.