“Writing The Flower of Avlonas was a challenge, a journey, and a labor of love.” - Dr. Anna Cohen

Within the pages of Dr. Anna Cohen's memoirs, titled The Flower of Avlonas, lies a true drama. The book is a personal account of her family's rescue from the Holocaust during World War II (thanks to the generosity of the Albanian people) as well as Anna's struggles as a child growing up under the communist dictatorship that her family endured after the war.

Written with sincerity and courage, The Flower of Avlonas tells the story of Anna's family and her own good life, while things could have often gone very wrong. It is the story of a brave and admirable woman, her incredible passage from war-torn, impoverished, and devastated Albania to the rich and opportunity-filled West – steadily guided by her own goals and the values of her Jewish family.

This is an inspiring narrative with many layers, the true story of a modern Scheherazade, unfolds across three continents and spans over 80 years. It is a Balkan story of survival, an American success story, and a tale of international Jewry. More than anything else, The Flower of Avlonas is a life lesson about the benefits of living according to your principles, giving generously when you can, and genuinely caring for and loving unconditionally.

Janet Battino, Director, Jewish Museum of Greece