Key to the city, mayor Veliaj honors the arbëresh

Key to the city, mayor Veliaj honors the arbëresh

After arriving in Tirana yesterday as part of the program of activities for the nationwide "Year of Skanderbeg" organized for the 550th anniversary of the death of Albanian Nation Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, representatives of the Arbëresh community met with the Mayor of the Capital, Erion Veliaj.

The mayor praised the contribution of the Albanians of Italy in keeping alive the Albanian language, customers and traditions, before presenting a representative with the "Key to the City" of Tirana.

"We cannot fall prey to folklore and simply meet every fifty years for the occasion of a jubilee. We must always keep an open door. I believe the best symbol of an open door is to provide you with a key of your own.

"Therefore, I deliver this key to you, to remind that the door is open to you all not only because we are commemorating the Year of Skanderberg, but any day, any time.

"I hope this great year with strong symbolism serves to remind us that though we have a lot of time separated, it is never too late to unite, especially for those of the new generation," declared Veliaj in his ceremonial speech.

He went on to add that he was especially grateful to those young people who chose to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors and maintain ties to their mother land.

"We would love for you people to see this key as a symbolism for the opportunities to come here and learn more about their national heritage.

"There is a large group of Italians coming to Albania thanks to the fact that the Arbëresh speak highly of Albania andpromote it, and vice versa.

"Tourists in both directions should visit villages, to care about the tourism in other areas, because I believe that there are huge benefits, economical, educational such as with languages, that should be spread far and wide for all to see the advantage of." said Erion Veliaj.

In the name of the Arbëresh community, Francesco Altimara expressed appreciation for the care shown by the Municipality of Tirana for maintaining ties with the Albanians of Italy.

"This is a sign of honor for the Arbëresh community, for what you are doing and what you will do in line with what you have said, because we have to keep these doors open.

"This key will be used to open up new perspectives, especially for younger generations, because what has been done in the past does not serve to benefit us.

"We are confident from that from the position you spoke from tonight, the young generation have a new path to walk" said Francesco Altimara.

The Arbëresh group joined some activities in honor of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, including the symbolic planting of 550 olive trees near Petrela Castle.


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