The Arbëresh through the ages in the face of the new narrative

The Third Assembly of Arbëresh Studies, organized by the Center for Studies and Publications for Arbëresh (QSPA), has begun its work at the premises of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The theme of this edition is: “Narratives of the past and present in the diaspora-homeland dialectic: Arbëresh and Albania”. The Third Assembly of Arbëresh Studies is held every two years. It constitutes the most important research event organized by QSPA, in this five-year anniversary of the Center, reports the Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

One of the special elements of this Assembly was the interpretation of several pieces in Albanian by the group "Arbëria-Frasnita", from Frasnita in Calabria.

The welcoming speech was delivered by the director of QSPA, Prof. Diana Kastrati, who outlined the institution's activities over the past five years. Kastrati emphasized the need for clarity and objectivity in addressing the Arbëresh issue, away from folklorisms and sporadic activities, with the proper vision that this diaspora deserves.

During the moderation of the Assembly, he said that if there is an emblem of the professorship, it is Prof. Emil Lafe.

"He is one of the figures who has followed and accompanied not only the education of many generations, but he is one of the most significant contributors to the work at QSPA and we are fortunate to have him as part of the Scientific Publications Council," said Kastrati.

Researcher Lafe praised the organizers of the Assembly.

"This new institution of academic life has justified itself in the best way. This center comes to this assembly today with a rich research and publishing activity and a clear vision for the future," said Emil Lafe, referring to the QSPA.

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According to the professor, thanks to the work of the QSPA, culture, history, literature and the Albanian language are becoming more well-known in scholarly circles, as well as to the general Albanian public.

"The Arbëresh world, as a very precious and much-loved part of our national being, must survive by developing and not by being conserved as an object in a historical museum," said Lafe.

In his speech, Damiano Guagliardi, president of the Federation of Arbëresh Associations (Italy), said that this assembly is not just the victory of a few researchers, but belongs to the entire Arbëresh community in Italy.