The municipality of Shën Mitri (San Demetrio Corone) in Italy has announced the opening of the Academy of Arbëresh Arts and Traditions.

The Academy aims to revive the arts, songs, customs, language, and traditions that have made the Arbëresh community of Shën Mitri unique for centuries.

Shën Mitri, in the Calabria region, sits 521 meters above sea level. It is a key center of the Arbëresh community, preserving its language, culture, religious rites, and ethnic identity. The town is also home to the famous St. Adrian College (1794), which protects Byzantine rites and traditions.

The new Academy will offer educational and cultural programs open to all citizens, especially focusing on young generations. The initiative confirms the Arbëresh communities’ commitment to preserving their roots and cultural identity for the future.

/a.c/