The President of the Republic, Ilir Meta, in the framework of his official visit to Sicily, stopped in Hora e Arbëreshëvet (Piana degli Albanesi), one of the largest communities, the most important and most populated center of the Arbëresh in this Region.

The Head of State was welcomed by hundreds of Arbëresh, who had come out in the central square of the municipality and after a cordial greeting with them, was received in a warm and friendly meeting in the hall of the Municipal Council, by the Mayor, Rosario Petta and other mayors of the Region.

President Meta after noting that he felt happy to visit Piana degli Albanesi, the capital of the Arbëresh, as well as privileged to be in the city created five centuries ago by Albanian families, nobles and relatives of our National Hero, Gjergj Kastroti Skanderbeg, also gave a greeting speech.

“Here is preserved the figure of our National Hero, Gjergj Kastriot, Albanian culture, language, religion, Byzantine rite, traditional clothing, customs, music. The Arbëresh were the initiators of our National Renaissance. We are proud that the Arbëresh language is spoken by the whole community and used in newspapers, schools and radio. This is where Arbëresh literature was born, a crucial process for the literary history of Albania. “For more than five centuries, the Arbëresh kept the Albanian identity alive”, said Meta.

“Arbëresh Hour is a model of integration and serves as a strong bridge between the two peoples across the Adriatic, presenting us with a model for excellent relations between Italy and Albania,” said Meta.

Noting that even the emigrants after the 1990s, coexist and are best integrated in the community of Piana degli Albanesi, Meta underlined the fact that, “the twinning with Tirana since 1954, interrupted by the communist regime, should strengthen and serve to create closer ties. This can be achieved by strengthening the cooperation with the agencies for the Diaspora and the Coordination Council for the Diaspora with the Arbëresh municipalities, moreover we have the honor for Mr. Petta to be the representative of the entire Albanian diaspora of Italy in this Council ”.

The messages of the President of the Republic during the Arbëresh Hour were that, attention should be paid to the teaching of the Albanian language in the Arbëresh municipalities, including the sending of Albanian teachers from Albania, and exchanges in all sectors of culture and history from both sides of the Adriatic. .

The Head of State underlined that more commitment is needed from all the authorities of our two countries to achieve the registration of the Arbëresh heritage in UNESCO, the prohibition of depopulation and the education of the younger generations.

“Promotion and attention to this precious wealth of European and world heritage”, underlined Meta.