A delegation of the Arbëresh Foundation, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, carried out an official visit to Kosovo, with the aim of strengthening inter-institutional cooperation and expansion of the historical and cultural ties between the Arbëresh municipalities and Kosovo.
The delegation was led by Mr. Ernesto Madeo, Commissioner of the Foundation and Mayor of the Municipality of San Demetrio Corone, and consisted of high-level institutional and cultural representatives of the Arbëresh community, including the mayors of the municipalities of San Cosmo Albanese, Frascineto, Cerzeto and Caraffa di Catanzaro.
During their stay in Prishtina, the delegation held meetings at the most important institutions of the country, including the Presidency of Kosovo, the Municipality of Prishtina, the University of Prishtina, the UBT college, as well as other educational and cultural institutions. Visits were also made at important sites of cultural and historical heritage, such as: the Hivzi Sylejmani Library, the Ethnological Museum, the Prishtina Cathedral, the Ulpiana Archaeological Park, as well as the facility of the Albanian League of Prizren. The delegation also visited: Novobërdë, Letnicë, Stubëll, Ferizaj, Suharekë and Prizren.
Mutual interest was expressed in establishing sustainable and institutionalized cooperation between Arbëresh municipalities and institutions in Kosovo during meetings, in areas of common interest such as education, culture, diaspora, economic development and agriculture. The possibility of including Arbëresh students in educational institutions in Kosovo with special quotas was discussed, as well as establishing direct contacts between universities, including the signing of cooperation agreements.
Within the framework of this visit, the delegation also participated in the celebration of the Liberation Day of the Municipality of Prishtina and the Book Fair, expressing appreciation for the invitation and institutional hospitality. The Arbëresh representatives also expressed their willingness to strengthen cultural exchanges and to build joint platforms in the preservation and promotion of the Albanian cultural heritage in all areas where the Arbëresh community lives.
