The project concept for the museum was presented publicly in Vuno as an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports in cooperation with the Himara municipality and the project design studio.

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the project carries particular importance for cultural heritage and national identity.

“This project aims to create a contemporary museum space dedicated to the history of the Arbëresh, their migration to Italy, and the valuable heritage this community has preserved over centuries,” Gonxhja said.

The presentation brought together institutional representatives, cultural heritage experts, tourism stakeholders, local community members and citizens, opening a discussion on the museum’s expected role in preserving historical memory, education, and the cultural and tourism development of the area.

The Minister said the museum is intended to become a reference point for Albanian identity, history and culture, as well as a space connecting the past with future generations, highlighting its role as a bridge between heritage and contemporary cultural development.

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The initiative aims to preserve and celebrate the memory, language, and culture of the Arbëreshë, who have maintained their Albanian identity for over five centuries since migrating to Italy.

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja visited the future Arbëreshë Museum site, located in the former 8-year school building in the historic center of Vuno.

In a social media post, Gonxhja described the project as “a living bridge between generations and shores, where the stories of our ancestors will come to life through exhibitions, memories, and cultural dialogue.”

The museum is also expected to strengthen cultural and spiritual ties between Albania and Arbëreshë communities across Italy, he added.

Situated near the historic churches of Saint Spyridon and Saint Mehill, the project includes the restoration of these religious monuments as part of a broader revitalization of the village’s architectural and spiritual heritage.

“This restoration, along with the museum’s establishment, will transform the area into a living mosaic where spiritual heritage meets contemporary museology, architectural renewal, and cultural itineraries,” Gonxhja said.

He emphasized that the initiative represents a major step in reviving Vuno, reinforcing Albanian cultural identity, and expanding cultural and historical tourism beyond the summer season. The museum will also support educational and community engagement programs.

The Arbëreshë Museum will serve both as a cultural landmark and a new tourist attraction in Vuno –  a village historically linked to the Arbëreshë, many of whose families emigrated from the area during the 17th century.

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Through a reaction in the social media, Rama described these charges as “Desperate attempts to draw an impossible parallel between the power used for personal interest and the family and the power made available to everyone”.

“My family is treated the same as everyone else. Therefore, it is disgusting when they cast mud on my family when as a matter of fact they want to fight with me. There is a difference like night and day between the aggressors of my family and me as their unyielding opponent”, said Rama.

The prime minister warned to sue DP official with slander action, “along with all the facts that expose this attempt as something taken from the sewage scum in Tirana and Athens”.

“All the facts that expose this attempt, as a sewage scum spread by the slaves of the DP non-grata leader, will be denounced in court”, said Rama.

“But for the public, there is only one fact. At present, the dozen heirs of our great-grandfather’s properties in Vuno of Himara, like many other heirs of this area – where I was together with our next Sunday mayor Vangjel Tavo – have not yet received their certificates of ownership. Different from my opponents, I do not belong to that category of representatives of the people who say different things for other people and do other things for themselves”, he added.

“The people will see the big difference “, concluded the prime minister.

Secretary for Legal Affairs in the DP Ivi Kaso said in a statement to the media that Prime Minister Rama and his family have taken 22.4 hectares of land in Vuno.

“On August 7, 2021, Artan Lame of the Cadastre and the former Himara mayor Jorgo Goro appeared in front of the residents of Vuno to announce the completion of the property registration. In the list of beneficiaries, contrary to what Rama claims, there was also the Koleka family relatives, and among them Aneta Rama-Koleka. In 2017, Edi Rama and the other heirs of the Koleka family applied to register their property in the Property Management Agency”, said Kaso. /m.m/p.s./

“Sol International Music Festival” will last for two nights and will take place in the courtyard of the Church of St. Spyridon in Vuno.

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja wrote in the social media that, “This festival is a unique lyrical event that brings a refined selection of musical performances, offering a unique experience for music lovers in a historic and picturesque setting.

The calm atmosphere and the wonderful scenery of the coast and specifically of the village with a lot of history and culture, Vuno, creates a perfect place for having a taste of lyrical music and feeling the magic of this special event”. /r.e/p.s./

This is not just a photo from Vuno and Edi Rama is not showing his son the sky or Vuno. They are in front of a monument, where there is also an inside story.

Although not highly visible in the photo, Rama’s finger is pointed at the third name on the tombstone of the martyrs of Vuno village, Zaho Koka. //a.i/