Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja met with Maurizio Rasero, Mayor of Asti and head of the province, during his visit to Milan. Gonxhja called the meeting “a pleasant surprise” and a new opportunity for cooperation.

Asti hosts one of the largest Albanian communities in the Piedmont region, with over 4,000 Albanians who have settled there for decades.

During the meeting, Mayor Rasero praised the strong cultural and social integration of the Albanian community. He also expressed interest in hosting an official visit from Minister Gonxhja, aiming to strengthen ties between the two cities and promote Asti’s cultural heritage.

Furthermore, Gonxhja highlighted Asti’s special history with Albania. The city was among the first in Italy to open its doors to thousands of Albanians during the 1991 exodus. Since then, the Albanian community has become an integral part of the city’s social, cultural and economic life. Today, Asti is led by a mayor from Forza Italia.

Looking ahead, Gonxhja said that through the new CulturAlb program and upcoming activities of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Albania will be even closer to its diaspora in Italy and beyond.
He noted that future projects and joint events will help preserve Albanian cultural and historical roots.

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