Arbëresh cultural initiatives strengthen ties between Italy and the Balkans

Cultural initiatives are strengthening the ties between the Arbëresh communities in Italy and the Balkan region through art, music, and educational exchanges.

In Ururi, the “Arbëresh Molise – Scambi culturali Italia-Albania” project hosted a delegation of Albanian students. The program, supported by the local administration and the Linguistic Desk, focused on preserving the Arbëresh language and history. Activities included visits to local traditions and viewing a mural dedicated to Skanderbeg, which symbolizes the historical connection between the two regions.

Additionally, the association Fili Meridiani APS conducted a summer program spanning Calabria, Albania, and Kosovo. This included the “Settimana dei Murales Arbëreshe” in Pallagorio, where artists from Kosovo collaborated with local residents to create public art. The association also engaged in cultural missions in Peja, Kosovo, using traditional music, clothing, and gastronomy to foster dialogue between the Arbëria of Crotone and the Balkan communities.