Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Liza Gashi, welcomed today the Mayor of Hora e Arbëreshëve (Piana degli Albanesi), Rosario Petta.
Kurti reiterated the Government of Kosovo’s strong interest in expanding cooperation with the Arbëresh community, especially in preserving and promoting Arbëresh cultural heritage, which he described as a precious part of the shared Albanian historical identity.
The meeting highlighted the importance of deepening cultural and academic exchanges, praising the positive progress made in recent years. Discussions also included opportunities for cooperation through film festivals, aiming to present Kosovo’s artistic and cultural creativity in Calabria and Sicily.
Another key topic was the inclusion of the Arbëresh community in the summer program “Shijo Kosovën”, intended to strengthen cultural ties and offer Arbëresh youth and families a more direct connection with Kosovo.
Educational cooperation was emphasized as well, including building links between Kosovo’s higher education institutions and universities in Italy, focusing on research projects, academic exchanges, and student mobility. Kurti also reaffirmed readiness to support the promotion of the Arbëresh language as an essential element of shared national and cultural identity.
A significant point of agreement between the two was the construction of a statue of legendary commander Adem Jashari in Hora e Arbëreshëve—symbolizing unity, heritage, and mutual respect.
