Harry Bajraktari Founder & Publisher 1991 - 1998

Ekrem Bardha Former Publisher 1998 - 2006

Vehbi Bajrami Publisher

Illyria, the only bilingual independent Albanian-American newspaper, is today the only institution that inform all the Albanians living all over United States of America.

Illyria was founded in New York by Harry Bajraktari, activist and businessman. The first issue came out on June 21, 1991. Seven years later, Ekrem Bardha, another activist and businessman, became the owner of the newspaper. On September 2006, the baton was passed to Vehbi Bajrami, former managing editor of Illyria. Prior to this he was Chief of the Albanian Service of the Voice of America.

Ruben Avxhiu is Editor-in-chief of Illyria newspaper.

From its first issue, Illyria, made known its ambition to become the common voice of the Albanian-Americans and it has made good to its promise throughout its 17 years of activity. It has reported the demonstrations calling for freedom in Kosova, held in the plazas of Washington, New York, Ohio etc. It was there when the nation’s sons and daughters joined the ranks of Atlantic Battalion to fight for the liberation of Kosova. It was there when they returned proud and victorious. Illyria is the diary of the Albanians’ life in America.

It is the mission of Illyria, as reflected in the forty pages of every issue, to inform Albanian-Americans about what is going on in the countries they left behind. It stands as a bridge connecting Albanians here in America with their ompatriots in the Albanian lands in the Balkans.

Illyria cooperates with all the Albanian-American social, cultural and political organizations and religious institutions. It has its correspondents in all the states with significant Albanian-American communities.
Illyria pays a special attention to the evocation of the great Albanian historic personalities as Scanderbeg, Mother Teresa and others. The newspapers frequently features well-known Albanians as the writer Ismail Kadare, Nobel Prize winner Ferid Murad, Hollywood actors James Belushi and Eliza Dushku, television stars Regis Philbin, Masiela Lusha and Tony Dovolani, and the distinguished director Stan Dragoti. classic arts world stars as the soprano Inva Mula, choreographer Angelin Prelocaj, violinist Tedi Papavrami etc.

On November 28th, the Independence Day of Albania and the Flag Day to Albanians all over the world, Illyria newspaper published a special issue of 240 pages, the largest ever in the history of Albanian press. On March 14, 2008 Illyria published another special issues for Independence of Kosova with 160 pages.

Illyria is the best start for everyone who wants to know more about the Albanian world.