Rome’s Albanian Cultural Institute in the works
ROME -- The capital is set to get a taste of Albanian culture as plans are announced for the opening of a Cultural Institute to promote the country’s historical, literary and artistic heritage, official Italian news agency ANSA has reported.
The Institute will be named after 16th century Catholic Albanian writer Archbishop Pjeter Bogdani, who played a crucial role in the defence of Christianity in Europe and in the resistance against the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans.
At a ceremony in celebration of 100 years of Albanian independence last week, the Kosovan ambassador, Albert Prenkaj, informed the press that “[the institute] will combine Arbesh, Albanian and Italian academics.”
He added: “I hope that the new institute will succeed in promoting the collaboration between Italian cultural institutions and foreign institutions, and that in the not so distant future it can lay down the foundations for the creation of an Academy for Albanian Culture in Rome. Today, most Albanians, separated by states, enjoy freedom, independence and democracy which are by now established democracies.”
“Kosovo,” he added, (of which the majority of the population are ethnic Albanians), “was subjugated for no less than 90 years. Now it is a state with a clear vision of Euro-Atlantic integration.”
The Albanian embassy were unavailable for comment.
Over the last few decades, relations between Albania and Italy have been strained to say the least. During the 90s, many Italians’ perception of the country was tainted by the vast waves of illegal Albanian immigrants arriving on the peninsula's shores following the fall of communism. It is hoped that the institute will highlight the country’s rich cultural heritage and take the focus away from its economic poverty.