President Bajram Begaj met with the Arbëresh community in San Marzano di San Giuseppe, in the province of Taranto, highlighting its historic role in strengthening ties between Albania and Italy.
During his visit, President Begaj was welcomed by local authorities and residents. First, he laid a wreath at the bust of Albania’s National Hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, honoring a figure who represents the resilience, dignity and freedom of the Albanian people.
In his remarks, Begaj praised the Arbëreshë for preserving their language, culture, faith, customs and traditions over the centuries. At the same time, he noted that they have fully integrated into Italian society.
“Arbëreshë communities have built a strong bridge between the two countries for five centuries,” Begaj said. Moreover, he described them as one of the most important foundations of Albanian-Italian friendship.
According to the President, the Arbëreshë have connected Albania and Italy while preserving their cultural identity. They have also passed their traditions from one generation to another.
“Arbëreshë communities preserved their language when schools did not teach it. They preserved their customs despite changing circumstances. They also preserved their faith, traditions and collective memory,” Begaj said.
Furthermore, he stressed that cultural heritage cannot survive only through books, laws or institutions. Instead, families and younger generations must actively preserve it.
“A language survives when parents speak it to their children and grandparents teach it to their grandchildren,” the President said.
Begaj also highlighted the strong strategic and geopolitical relations between Albania and Italy. However, he emphasized that the foundation of this friendship goes back much further than modern diplomatic relations.
“The foundation of this friendship was laid centuries ago in Arbëreshë homes,” he said.
In addition, Begaj called for stronger efforts to preserve the Arbëreshë language among younger generations. He stressed that Arbërisht should not remain only a language of memory, but should continue to serve as a language of everyday life and communication between generations.
Finally, the President said that protecting this heritage is a shared responsibility. Communities, institutions, universities, the media, Albania, Kosovo and the diaspora must work together to ensure that Arbëreshë culture continues to live, develop and inspire future generations.
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The post Begaj in San Marzano di San Giuseppe: Arbëreshë, a living bridge of historic Albanian-Italian friendship appeared first on RTSH English.
