Greek Culture Week / The Greek Minister opened the activities in Tirana

In an interview for Top channel, the Greek Minister of Culture says that in this first visit to Albania she is full of positive emotions.

The weeks of Greek culture start in Skanderbeg Square with the concert of the little pianist Stelio Kerasidis and will continue in the coming days with the performances of the instrumentalists of the Athens Lyric Stage, the homologue of our Opera and Ballet Theater.

At the opening of the activities was also the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendhoni, who during an interview for TCH expressed her pleasure to visit Albania for the first time.

“I can say that my feelings are very positive and mixed, and to think that I am in a country outside Greece and I can speak Greek.”

She says that with her Albanian counterpart Elva Margariti, a friend with whom she knows from meetings in various international forums, they have organized an interesting and valuable visit.

“In addition to the official visit here in Tirana and the signing of the memorandum between the two countries, we have also organized visits to archeological sites, to enable a program, which is as comprehensive as possible, for the cultural heritage of Albania, which is basically a common heritage. with Greece ”.

Mrs. Think also shows the main points of the memorandum that Iesigned between the two countries.

“The most important points of this memorandum are the creation of joint research groups with archaeologists, restorers and museologists, which will undertake certain programs. The first program has already been discussed and has to do with the Greek authority of the archeology of Ioannina, which has asked to do a research together with its Albanian colleagues in Antigone “.

The Greek Minister of Culture, who comes from the world of archeology, recalls that after the 2019 earthquake in Albania, Greece offered its help regarding the protection of archeological sites.

“Immediately after the great earthquake that hit Albania, with the decision of Prime Minister Qiriako Mitsotaqi, I contacted the Ministry of Culture and Ms. Margariti and we are available for any assistance we can offer. “As you said, Greece has great experience and expertise in the field of restoration of buildings and their protection.”

The Greek Minister of Culture says that the message of the weeks of Greek culture and joint activities, underlines our conviction that culture can provide solutions to difficult issues and create bridges between peoples and perspectives.

Full interview by Ilir Paco

-Ms. Mendoni, you are in Albania for a series of meetings and contacts and you will also visit some of the most important archeological sites. What are your first thoughts and feelings about this?

Think: It is the first time I visit Albania and Tirana and I can say that my feelings are very positive and mixed, and to think that I am in a country outside Greece and I can speak Greek. We have organized with the Minister of Culture of Albania, Mrs. Elva Margariti who is a friend of mine, with whom we have met in various international forums, in addition to the official visit here in Tirana and the signing of the memorandum between the two countries, for archaeological excavations, maintenance and restoration of monuments and studies and museum activities, as well as visits to archeological sites. This, to enable a program, which is as comprehensive as possible, for the cultural heritage of Albania, which is basically a common heritage with Greece.

-I know that you had contacts before with Mrs. Margariti and after the earthquake of 2019 Albania asked for the cooperation of Greece, due to the experience and expertise she has regarding the restoration and maintenance of archaeological objects. Has this collaboration advanced?

Think: Immediately after the great earthquake that hit Albania, with the decision of the Prime Minister Qiriako Mitsotaqi, I contacted the Ministry of Culture and Mrs. Margariti and we are available for any help we can offer. As you said, Greece has a great experience and expertise in the field of restoration of buildings and their protection.

-Today you signed a memorandum of cooperation as you said a little above, can you tell us its main points?

Think: The most important points of this memorandum are the creation of joint research groups with archaeologists, restorers and museologists, which will undertake certain programs. The first program has already been discussed and has to do with the Greek authority of the archeology of Ioannina, which has asked to do a research together with its Albanian colleagues in Antigone.

It is noticed that recently the visits of Greek officials in Albania have become more frequent, such as today’s visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dendia, what does this “movement” mean in the relations between the two countries and what does your visit to Tirana mean in a special way?

Think: We are 2 countries that have very friendly relations and nevertheless we have a wide cooperation within the countries of Southeast Europe. Especially my presence here today, for cultural cooperation, marks exactly what I mentioned above, the essential relations between the two countries, cultural heritage that is common in a very large part of it, archeological sites, monuments, which are from Greek antiquity and from the Byzantine period, so there are many areas and interests that have the scientific communities of the two countries. What I found in all the meetings and in these few hours that I am in Albania, is that Hellenism is flourishing, it is alive and dynamic and on the other hand, in Greece there is an Albanian community, which in recent years lives and works and studies children in Greece. This reality itself is very strong and certainly helps decisively in these relations between the two countries at all levels.

-The week we have entered marks the beginning of the weeks of Greek culture in Albania. What is their message?

Think: The week starts with the concert of the little pianist Stelio Kerasidhis and an important concert with instrumentalists from the Athens Lyric Stage. What should be emphasized is that through the weeks of culture and joint activities, our conviction is underlined that culture can provide solutions to difficult issues and create bridges between peoples and perspectives. It is therefore very important that this week starts with the help and cooperation of the Greek Embassy.

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