By CHESMA
It took until 2020 for Elizabeth Vrato to learn that her own grandfather, Kadri Cakrani, was a person who changed the world significantly with acts of bravery that place him among the most courageous and humanitarian figures in modern history. Now, more than 70 years later, this story can finally be shared.
Kadri Cakrani, (KAH-dree suh-KRON-ee) WWII General and personal enemy of the Communist dictator Enver Hoxha, saved over 600 Jewish refugees from the Nazis in Nazi-occupied Albania.
Cakrani served as Commandant-General in the Albanian army in the region of Berat, the hub of the Albanian effort in WWII. In 1942, he bravely rallied his soldiers and the local citizenry to protect over 600 Jews from the Nazis even though the penalty for his actions was death.
Under repeated threats and questioning, Cakrani lied to Nazi officials saying he had no information about Jews and refused to turn over a single name. Thanks in part to Cakrani’s tireless work, Albania was the only country in Europe to end World War II with more Jewish residents than before the war.
Whenever he got word of Nazi sweeps to find Jews sheltered in Berat including refugees from Poland, Germany, France, and Macedonia, Cakrani moved them from one part of the city to another sheltering them and keeping them alive and one step ahead of the patrols. He took the enormous personal risk of hiding Jews in his own home, providing for them, and keeping them safe. Again, the penalty for doing so was death.
Hidden for decades, Cakrani’s story can now safely be shared. “What was done will be in history books,” Cakrani told his daughter cryptically. He was right. Kadri Cakrani is Albania’s own Oskar Schindler. Both men heroically used their position, finances, and influence to keep hundreds of Jews from deportation by the Nazis. Cakrani’s story, once suppressed by an evil Communist dictator, and subsequently given oxygen and sunlight by the testimony of witnesses, survivors, and age-stained letters and photographs, will be added to history books and celebrated.
Vrato is a graduate of NYU Law School and a Truman scholar. She spent four years researching, traveling, and conducting interviews to author a book about the stories and advice of leaders who have changed the world. “The Counselors: Conversations with 18 Courageous Women Who Have Changed the World” (2002) features a foreword by President Bill Clinton and includes interviews with Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg as well as Attorney General Janet Reno. Most importantly, she is the proud granddaughter of Kadri Cakrani. Please join us. We look forward to seeing you there.
Brunch and Presentation
“Kadri Cakrani”
Sun., Jan. 29, Brunch 11:30am-1pm; Presentation 1-2pm
JC3/CHESMA, Calle de Moras 47
Brunch and Presentation 300 pesos, 250 pesos for JC3 members
Presentation only 200 pesos, 150 pesos for JC3 members.
Reservations: www.ShalomSan Miguel.org/calendar
Reservation deadlines: Jan. 26 for Brunch; Jan. 28 for Presentation
