“Our peoples are also linked by a relationship of “brotherhood”, to which the Arbëreshë communities present in Italy contribute strongly. For over 500 years, these communities have maintained, with great determination, the cultural heritage of their origin; and this extraordinary condition arouses sincere admiration. Of Albanian descent, but for a long time Italian, the arbëreshë have in fact proudly preserved the ancient traditions, the religious rites, the very language of their motherland”. Thus the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella in Piana degli Albanesi, in the province of Palermo, on the occasion of a joint visit to the local community together with the President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj. The program includes four stops: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Corso Giorgio Kastriota in front of the Cathedral of San Demetrio, Teatro del Seminario in Piazza San Nicolò and Portella della Ginestra.
“Piana degli Albanesi makes us feel at home”
Mr President of the Republic of Albania, Authorities, dear fellow citizens, falem, mirëmëngjes. Greetings to the Mayor of Piana degli Albanesi, and through him to all his fellow citizens, and greetings to all the mayors of the Arbëreshë communities of Italy, present here. I am grateful to Cardinal Montenegro for his hospitality and I thank Professor Mandalà for his speech. I thank the choir of boys who sang the Albanian and Italian national anthems and who welcomed us with a beautiful song of the Arbëreshë tradition. Piana degli Albanesi, capital of Arbëreshë culture in Sicily, makes us feel at home together, members of the same community: Albanians, Italians and Italian-Albanians. An opportunity to confirm, once again, the great friendship and collaboration that exists between Albania and Italy”.
“Italy and Albania together for a more united Europe”
“Recent history, in the transition phase that characterized the Balkans, has seen the people of neighboring countries, in particular the Albanian one, look to Italy for the hope of building a future and a prospect of life in a united Europe with no more divisions Today, a very strong economic and cultural exchange is developing between our two countries, bringing the two peoples even closer together.”
Italy supports Tirana’s entry into the EU”
“The cornerstones of the friendship between Italy and Albania are the values of freedom, independence and democracy testified by the common belonging to the Atlantic Alliance and, in perspective, to the European Union, which today’s Albania looks to with the legitimate aspiration of soon becoming one Italy is, and will continue to be, a staunch supporter of this goal, which must be achieved quickly for the entire Western Balkan region European.
“Arberesche success story of integration”
“The arbëreshë embody a history of integration and welcome that has been completely successful, an example of how mutual knowledge and mutual respect are a source of cultural enrichment, and a tool for growth for the realities and for the countries in which different people live together community”.
