On the afternoon of May 1, following his visit to the Arbëresh region of Calabria, the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, held a meeting with the residents of Firmo municipality.

President Begaj conveyed the message for interaction between communities with different cultures and in this respect he appreciated the role of the people of Arbëresh for the power of identity, cultural heritage, popular tradition and folklore.

Referring to the annual tradition of the “Dance”, which is preserved in this village as a symbol of Skanderbeg’s victory, President Begaj emphasized that it remains always inspiring. He directed the participants in this “Dance” celebration to promote identity recognition and cultural diversity.

“Today, more than ever, we need to see “free dancing” especially the young people, who must play an essential role in preserving this heritage.Young people are the future ambassadors of our culture and the bearers of the flag of the Arber and Albanian identity”, – said President Begaj, who said that the generations must be prepared to face the challenges of globalization, as well as preserving the uniqueness of the heritage.

“The culture and tradition of Arbëresh, as a very important part of the Albanian culture, – assessed President Begaj, are evidence of the power of freedom to survive through the centuries, even in difficult conditions and great historical changes”.

As in the previous meetings with the people of Arbëresh, in Firmo the Head of State conveyed the message for the preservation of traditions, culture and language, as a way to remember the origin, but also to build a sustainable future.