Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja highlighted that the new museum will celebrate the history of Albania’s Jewish community and honor an enduring legacy of coexistence between the two peoples.

“This destination will enrich our cultural map, preserving and promoting the profound harmony shared by the Albanian and Jewish peoples for current and future generations,” Gonxhja stated.

Costing 280 million lekë and designed by Kimmel Eshkolot Architects, the 19th-century building will celebrate centuries of shared history and promote cross-cultural dialogue.

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The museum is being built in the former Jewish Quarter and is located in the city’s main square, close to three other museums, the National Museum of Independence, the Historical Museum and the Ethnographic Museum, where the Albanian Jewish Museum will be part of the cultural complex.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is in Vlora today, inspected the works in this construction site, where together with Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja, he got acquainted with progress of the works that started 1 month ago.

“This is a missing stone in the mosaic of Vlora and the Albanian one. The story of the rescue of Jews by Albanians is an extraordinary story. An extraordinary historical-cultural heritage for all of us. And it should be borne in mind that with the establishment of the direct flight with Israel, the demand from Israeli tourists to come to Albania begins. The demand is very high. They know our history with them and this is a cornerstone with which we will build things in tourism, economy, technology. I believe that Vlora is lucky and should be proud to have this history”, said Rama.

The technical director of the works for the Jewish Museum said that this is a protected object, but it is the inclusion in this urban ensemble where the spirit of the restoration of the Jewish Quarter is felt, with all the sense of Albanian hospitality.

“In this area, there will be the entrance pavilion and the back part has an open gate which means that it is very welcoming. The materials will be 98% Albanian stones and 2% Israeli stones”, he said.

According to the engineers and managers of this project, it is foreseen that the construction will be completed in two years, but PM Rama underlined that despite the complexity of the building, the project should be completed within 18 months.

“I am convinced that in 18 months the company will finish the construction works”, Rama said.

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“Lauder is an outstanding philanthropist, political activist and diplomat, but above all a good friend of Albanians and grateful for everything our people has done”, said Balluku.

Deputy Prime Minister Balluku is in New York to participate in the high-level political meeting at the United Nations, to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

The Albanian government and the Parliament have been engaged in this agenda for a long time, achieving concrete results and making our country an example, not only for the region, but also beyond. /r.e/p.s./

The same like during the Second World War with the Jews, it is being shown with the Afghan citizens today, who have found a safe haven in our country.

Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, together with the Ambassador of the United States of America Yuri Kim, were honorary guests in the second evening of the event focusing on the relations between the Albanian and Jewish people.

Veliaj expressed pride in the protection of Jews in our country during the Holocaust.

“I am proud to be Albanian when I hear the story of a city that today I am lucky enough to lead. Initially, it had only 200 Jews and at the end of the war, in the finals of that great world drama there were 2,000 of them. I’m glad that, even today, we are faithful to this story. When I think of the mujahedeen who came from Iran and resisted the regime of the extremist Ayatollahs in Iran, first in Tirana to move elsewhere, to the friends, colleagues, partners. In Albania, there came people from Afghanistan first in Tirana and then to move somewhere next, it really makes me feel proud,”said Veliaj.

The mayor has expressed his gratitude to the hospitable Albanian people.

It does not matter if our brothers and sisters were from Jewish Israel during the years of World War II, or if they were the 3,000 Mujahedeen who moved from Camp Liberty in Iraq to the attacks of the Ayatollahs, the radicals of Iran, or if they were Afghan brothers and sisters who ran for shelter, for protection, for life, from the black cloud of the Taliban that came to Afghanistan; as long as we are known for these good Samaritans, it is always a good day to be Albanian” he stated, adding that, the Municipality has already identified some of the main houses where the Jewish community is sheltered in Tirana, which will be turned into museum houses.

The US Ambassador Yuri Kim also expressed her surprise at this virtue of Albanian hospitality.

“There are many things that are said about Albanians and Albania, but, for me, the truth among them is what is said about Albanians and Albania who is people of hospitality and courage. Whenever someone is in need, Albanians are ready to lend a helping hand. They did this during World War II. They did it again now. In situations when the world is going through moments when it has to keep notes, Albanians are ready to offer bread, salt and heart. I am really very proud to be among you, but I also know, as a human being, if I ever happen to be in trouble, the place where I can come to take refuge, I will come to Albania. I think these are lessons that the world should learn from such a small country. It’s a small country with such a big heart,” said the US diplomat.

In the second evening of the Cultural Festival Albania-Israel 2021, which is taking place in Tirana from 12 to 21 September, the documentary “Albanian Code” was shown for the first time./ m.m // a.a /p.s./