The national anthem of Albania is called “Himni i Flamurit” (The Hymn of the Flag). The lyrics were written by Asdreni (Aleksandër Stavre Drenova), and the melody comes from a Romanian patriotic song by Ciprian Porumbescu. The anthem reflects unity, loyalty, and the cost of freedom.
Original lyrics
Rreth flamurit të përbashkuar,
Me një dëshir’ e një qëllim,
Të gjithë atje duke betuar,
Të lidhim besën për shpëtim.
Prej lufte veç ai largohet,
Që është lindur tradhëtor,
Kush është burrë nuk frikohet,
Po vdes, po vdes si një dëshmor!
English
United around the common flag,
With one desire and one purpose,
All standing there, taking an oath,
To bind our honor for salvation.
Only the one born a traitor
Turns away from the fight,
A true man does not feel fear,
But dies, yes dies, as a martyr.
What the Lyrics Mean (Line by Line)
“United around the common flag”
The anthem opens with unity. The flag stands for shared identity, not political power.
“With one desire and one purpose”
Personal differences are set aside. Survival of the nation comes first.
“Taking an oath, to bind our honor”
This refers to besa, the Albanian code of honor. Keeping one’s word is treated as sacred.
“Only the one born a traitor turns away from the fight”
Leaving the struggle is not shown as fear, but betrayal. Loyalty is the standard.
“A true man does not feel fear”
Courage is defined as standing firm, not the absence of danger.
“Dies as a martyr”
Death is not glorified, but framed as meaningful when it serves freedom and dignity.
The Story Behind Albania’s National Anthem
Albania’s national anthem was written at a time when the country did not yet exist as an independent state. In the early 1900s, Albanians were living under Ottoman rule, and many writers and activists worked from abroad to protect their language and identity.
Asdreni wrote the lyrics while living in Romania. His goal was simple: create a song that ordinary people could understand and sing together. The words were direct, strong, and easy to remember.
The melody was borrowed from a Romanian patriotic song because it already carried emotional weight. This helped the anthem spread quickly among Albanian communities, even before independence.
When Albania declared independence in 1912, Himni i Flamurit was already widely accepted by the people. It was adopted without major debate because it reflected the mindset of the time: unity, honor, and readiness to sacrifice.
Unlike many national anthems written after statehood, Albania’s anthem comes from struggle, not stability. It does not speak of peace or prosperity, but of loyalty and survival.
Today, the anthem remains unchanged and continues to represent the values on which modern Albania was built.
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