Authored by Petrit Latifi

Stella was of Czech origin. She also visited Albania in her travels to learn about the cultures, traditions and folklore of the countries from which immigrants came to America.

One of the reasons that led her to visit Albania, which she fell in love with, was getting to know the Albanians of Worcester, Massachusetts.
She also wore the Albanian national costume, while speaking to American audiences specifically about Albanians and Albania.
Stella was a connoisseur of Albanian folklore, music, dances and traditions and left notes from her research work in Albanian lands in the 1920s and 1930s.

Albania seemed isolated from the world, but well-wishers like Stella also wrote about Albania at that time in America. Among other things…Stella writes:

“Albania, land of mountain eagles. You have enchanted me and so I live again and again the days I spent with you. In my waking hours, in my dreams I see your mountains, valleys, villages, cities; I see your treasures and I want to see your face, but it is your eyes that tell me your story.”