President of the Republic Bajram Begaj and First Lady Armanda Begaj hosted a festive celebration on Saturday with children from Albanian-speaking regions and the Diaspora.

Young participants arrived from Prizren and Drenas in Kosova, Ulqin and Tuz in Montenegro, Tetova in North Macedonia, as well as from Albanian communities in Germany, Italy, and Greece. They gathered in Tirana to mark International Children’s Day, celebrated each year on June 1.

Held under the theme “I Carry Albanian Identity in My Heart,” the event featured concerts, puppet theatre, circus acts, dancing, and a variety of games and activities.

President Begaj welcomed the children warmly:

“Thank you for being part of this important event. Armanda and I value it deeply. Let’s celebrate together for our children. Happy June 1! I hope every child enjoys life and finds success. Special greetings to the children from outside Albania, from Kosova, North Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Germany, and Montenegro. A big hug to all of you”.

First Lady Armanda Begaj expressed her joy at the large gathering:

“This year, this field is full of joy from children who came from different Albanian lands, from our beloved Kosova, from Prizren and Drenas, from Tuz and Ulqin in Montenegro, from Tetova in North Macedonia. Welcome, and thank you for coming”.

She also had words for those who traveled from further away:

“Among you are children proud to be Albanian, your peers from Germany and Greece. Thank you for joining us and celebrating in the language of your parents”.

In her closing remarks, the First Lady offered a heartfelt message:

“Dear children, you are the joy, the love, and the light of our lives. Love your language, our beautiful Albanian. Learn it, preserve it, and carry forward our culture and traditions. That is how we stay proud to be Albanian”.

She then invited the children to release balloons into the sky, sending their hopes and dreams into the air:

“Now, dear children, close your eyes. Think of your wishes and dreams. Send them high into the sky, together with the balloons in your hands”.

The celebration concluded with performances and a special presentation by Diaspora children titled “Albania Is in My Heart”.

/a.p./