On the occasion of the visit of the Austrian Foreign Minister, Karin Kneissl and in the framework of the Austria-Albania Cultural Year 2018, the ceremony for the presentation of the book, “Rediscovering the common: the past and the present of Austria-Albania relations in kaleidoscope” was held at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. This activity was attended by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Bushati and Kneissl, the Minister of Culture, Mirela Kumbaro, authors and artists who contributed to this anthology, as well as other personalities of art, culture, politics, etc.

In his remarks, Minister Bushati emphasized the early political, cultural and economic link between the two countries but at time overlooked, as a result of the current politics. Such initiatives may reveal that past ties are alive and can serve as a sound basis for minimizing divisions. This initiative, according to Minister Bushati, serves as a promoter of the Albanian Diaspora in Austria, which is not only well-integrated but over the decade many important artists made themselves a career in the host country.

Minister Kumbaro, in her remarks, identified culture as a notion that unites us, as a boundless notion that existed before the borders and before states. Minister Kumbaro stated that this activity gave us the opportunity to understand how different forms of art are collected together into a passport for diplomatic promotion.
The writer Luljeta Lleshanaku described in her remarks the early history of relations between our country and Austria, describing these relationships as a strong influence among cultures that cannot be seen or touched; it cannot be described with words, as it is deeply rooted and long-lasting.

In her remarks, the Austrian Minister praised the Ministry and all the actors who made this event possible. She added that she is quite familiar with the work of Albanian writers and underlined that sharing the history of the country with others, means being part of Europe.

The organization of this activity, especially in the framework of Albania’s EU integration process, aims to strengthen the close cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries in order to strengthen the Albanian-Austrian cultural ties and the intercultural intensification. The promotion of the book was also accompanied by an exhibition “Austrians by heart”, by artist Jutta Benzenberg.