Destination Tirana: the Giffoni project in Albania is over. The initiative, promoted by the Department for Youth Policies and Universal Civil Service, was organized by Giffoni
"It's like seeing an old friend again. I remember Giffoni in Albania in the 80s, I was just a child at the time. Meeting him again today, as mayor, has a great meaning and I will work to make it the beginning of a new chapter for the kids of Tirana." These are the words with which the mayor of the Albanian capital, Erion Veliaj, greeted Destination Tirana, the event promoted by the Ministry for Sport and Youth, created by Giffoni to provide new opportunities for adolescents from the two countries.
“The context is perfect – continued Veliaj – we are the European Youth Capital 2022 and, next year, we will be the European Capital of Sport. I would like Giffoni to be here with us also in 2023, there are all the reasons to work together and there is no team that has more chemistry than the Italian-Albanian one”.
The conditions are not lacking: during the initiative the Italian giffoner delegation, made up of Giorgia Pia Fasano, Domenico Potenza, Alberico Giusti, Giuseppina Lambiasi, Vincenza Carmen Fasano, Simona Della Monica, as well as a representation of the Ambassadors of the European Year of Youth 2022 Youssef Tabi, Esdra Sciortino and Angelica Boscolo worked closely with their Albanian peers. Objective: to create a startup to break down the prejudices and stereotypes that are often associated with Italy and Albania. The kids will continue to collaborate remotely in these months with the support of the Giffoni team. The project will be presented during the 53rd edition of the Festival, scheduled from 20 to 29 July 2023.
Many institutional meetings were held during the four days of the project by the president of the Giffoni Experience Autonomous Body Pietro Rinaldi, by the coordinator of the Special Projects department Marco Cesaro, by the head of institutional relations Davide Russo, as well as by Michele Melillo, Giusy Rago, Marta Frasca , Giuseppe Novellino and Rita Esposito from the Giffoni team. While the Department for Youth Policies was represented by Adriano Scaletta and Francesco Pallante.
“We are very satisfied – declared Jacopo Gubitosi, general manager of Giffoni – I want to thank the Ministry that believed in this project from the very beginning, including it in the Giovani2030 activities. The relationship with Albania has very deep roots: in 1984 we presented the first Albanian film festival to the world, offering an international showcase to the cinematographic creativity of this country. Today we return to create new opportunities for collaboration and growth for our giffoners. I am sure that in 2023 we will return to Tirana to present the results of this first Italian-Albanian startup”.
Adriano Scaletta is also satisfied: “It was wonderful to discover such a dynamic city - has explained - we enthusiastically joined Destinazione Tirana, firmly supporting the idea of Giffoni and involving the Ambassadors of the European Year of Youth in this fantastic initiative. We want to integrate those teenagers who would normally be excluded from European activities. I am sure that together we can build something important”.
The delegation was welcomed by the Tirana – European Youth Capital Committee. The invitation that the Italian Ambassador, Fabrizio Bucci, addressed to the giffoners and the team at the diplomatic headquarters is of great institutional importance. The conversation with the deputy ambassador, Luigi Mattirolo, and the delegate for cultural projects Carmen Taschini was long and cordial.
“We have always been committed to innovation programs – commented Mattirolo – to promote the growing role of young people in the path towards the full European perspective of the Balkans. The diffusion of the Italian language and culture is certainly one of the key points and we believe that Giffoni can be fundamental”.
Many focuses are proposed, among these MEDITERRANEAN NEETS: an in-depth look at those young people who do not study, do not work and are not even involved in a training process and who, in the Mediterranean area, constitute a large percentage. An increasingly widespread phenomenon, which causes no small amount of concern and which Giffoni has long chosen to deal with.
Between cinema and workshops, music also had its importance: Federica Carta, with a large fan base in Albania, met the guys for an appointment between music and words. The singer-songwriter announced an album scheduled for 2023.
“It's the first time I've performed abroad, I'm grateful to Giffoni for this opportunity – the singer-songwriter said – it's wonderful to be able to interact with kids my age. Giffoni is able to unite and erase all prejudice, to provide opportunities for growth, reflection and fun".
Article published on November 14, 2022 - 18:35
