Prishtina, June 22, 2017 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, has traveled for an official visit to the Arbëresh people in Calabria, Italy.
In the region of Calabria, President Thaçi will meet the Prefect of Cosenza, Gianfranco Tomao, the President of the Province of Cosenza, Franco Iacucci, the Mayor of the Municipality of Cosenza, Mario Occhiuto and the other mayors of the Arbëresh Municipalities of Calabria
During his stay in Cosenza, the President will pay homage at the Skanderbeg Monument and will also visit the Arbëresh Church.
Likewise, he will visit the University of Calabria, where he will meet the Rector, the professors and the Albanian students.
After the visit to the University of Calabria, President Thaçi will also meet the Bishop of the Arbëresh Diocese of Ungaria, Monsignor Donato Oliverio.
Whereas, in the afternoon, in the Arbëresh village of Saint Sophia (Santa Sofia d'Epiro), the President will also meet the Arbëresh community and the Mayor of the Municipality, Gianfranco Ceramella.
During his stay in this province of Cosenza, at the Arbëresh College of St. Adrian, President Thaçi will meet also the Mayor of the Municipality of St. Mitre, Salvatore Lamirata, the Director of the Lyceum, Concetta Smeriglio, and representatives of Arbëreshë Cultural Associations “FAA” and “UNIARB”, together with the Presidents of the foundations.
Further on, President Thaçi will also pay homage in Albanian Macchia, at the grave of poet Jeronim De Rada, and will also visit Jeronim De Rada’s house and meet with the Cultural Association “Jeronim De Rada”, together with the Macchia community.
President Thaçi will also visit the Arbëresh people in the town of Rende.
He will visit the Strigar/San Cosmo Albanese community, where he will meet with the Mayor of the Municipality, Damiano Baffa, as well as with the Arbëresh community there.
After Strigar, the President will also visit the Vaccarizzo Albanese village, where he will meet with the Arbëresh community and the Mayor of the Municipality, Antonio Pomillo.
Finally, President Thaçi will also visit the Arbëresh community in Frasnita, where he will meet the Mayor, Angelo Catapano, and the Arbëresh community of this locality.
During his visit to Frasnita, President Thaçi will also visit the Icons Museum and Ethnographic Museum.