Here's an introduction to 'Himni i Flamurit', or 'Hymn to the Flag', the national anthem of Albania.
What is the national anthem of Albania?
Albania's national hymn is 'Himni i Flamurit', which translates as 'Hymn to the Flag'. It was adopted as such in 1912. The music to the hymn has its origins in the Romanian patriotic song 'Pe-al nostru steag e scris Unire', which was written by the Romanian composer Ciprian Porumbescu. The lyrics, meanwhile, were composed by the Albanian poet Aleksandër Stavre Drenova, better known as Asdreni. The anthem's original name was ' was originally titled 'Betimi mbi Flamur', which translates as the similar 'The Pledge on the Flag').
More Euro 2024 national anthem lyrics
By the way, we also have the lyrics to the national anthems of Albania's Group B rivals at the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament. Look elsewhere on the site for the lyrics to Italy's national anthem; and the lyrics to the national anthem of Croatia. We've also got a page on the Spanish national anthem - though the situation with lyrics there is different, as you will see in the article.
Albania national anthem: lyrics in Albanian
Rreth flamurit të përbashkuar
Me një dëshir' e një qëllim,
Të gjith' atij duke u betuar
Të lidhim besën për shpëtim.
Prej lufte veç ai largohet
Që është lindur tradhëtor,
Kush është burrë nuk frigohet,
Po vdes, po vdes si një dëshmor!
Albania national anthem: English lyrics
Around our flag we stand united,
With one wish and one goal,
A sacred oath we bestow upon it
Proclaiming loyalty for our salvation.
From war abstains only he,
Who a traitor is born,
He who is a true man is not frightened,
But dies a martyr to the cause.
What's the music like?
The Hungarian composer György Ligeti once noted that the music to the Albania national anthem has its roots in the musical traditions of Germany and Austria. Which should not come as a great surprise, as the hymn's composer Porumbescu did study at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
