TIRANA, April 26 /ATA/ Returning to his native land promises a better future for Vasil Ukaj and his family.
Following extensive training and experience in Italy, he returned to Fishtë, Lezha, to launch a local pottery business.
Ukaj told ATA team that in 2000, his journey began in a tiny room—his grandfather’s former house. Today, that modest starting point has evolved into a thriving reality, proving his vision has truly borne fruit.
” Through dedication, I transformed limited opportunities into a flourishing business, now recognized as a top destination for visitors,” he said.
His pottery workshop has blossomed into a premier tourist destination, offering visitors an immersive experience where they can observe the production process, try their hand at clay molding, and purchase unique, handcrafted items.
“We welcome a consistent, international flow of tourists annually and maintain strong, established partnerships with local agrotourism businesses and resorts,” said Vasili.
Representing the next generation, Vasili’s 10-year-old grandson, Danjeli, now guides tourists through their family workshop. For Vasili, it is about passing on passion, not just a trade. “I want this craft to live on through generations and support our family,” he explained.
The workshop offers a diverse portfolio of 300+ items—from culinary wares to artistic souvenirs—widely available across Albanian tourist hotspots like Berat, Gjirokastra, and Saranda, with expanding distribution across Montenegro and Kosovo.
Vasili’s journey began when an Italian ceramics professor, recognizing his talent, funded his studies in Italy on the condition that he return to Albania. True to his word, Vasili returned after five years of training to establish his own business in his homeland.
His goal is to build a strong ‘Made in Albania’ brand, elevating traditional crafts into a daily success story.
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