Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports Blendi Gonxhja is in the Vatican.

He met representatives of the Arbëresh community and joined Ettore Bonanno on the podcast Pop Arbëresh.

Gonxhja discussed key topics on culture and national heritage, including the “Mot i Madh” (Great Weather) UNESCO dossier and the Arbëresh Museum.

He highlighted projects that preserve Arbëresh identity, history, and memory. The Vatican conference featured a mini-exhibition on Albanian cuisine, Arbëresh clothing, and other traditional elements.

“The ‘Great Weather’ dossier is a dream for the Arbëresh community and a duty for our state,” Gonxhja said. “We are also working on Culturalb, a state foundation to strengthen our cultural presence in diaspora communities. In Italy, we will establish a House of Albania, a cultural center.”

Gonxhja also mentioned the Arbëresh Museum planned for Vuno, at the origin of the Arbëresh exodus. “It will be small but meaningful, telling the full story of the Arbëresh people,” he said.

He added that young Albanians must understand this heritage. It connects not only to Albania and language but also to European roots. “Europe began in the Mediterranean, where we shaped our land, customs, and traditions,” Gonxhja said.

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