Discovering My Albanian Side

Written by Leyla

I’m 24 and I was born in Belgium. My dad is Bosnian and my mom was Albanian. She passed away when I was a child, so I never had the chance to know her or that side of my heritage. For a long time, I didn’t feel entitled to say I was Albanian. I didn’t speak the language and had never been to the country.

I grew up speaking Bosnian with my dad and visiting Bosnia regularly. But Albania was a mystery to me.

When I applied for this cultural program for young Albanians from the diaspora, I didn’t expect to be selected. And yet I was incredibly lucky. 🙏🏼

Over two weeks, I explored Albania and Kosova, met young people like me, and most importantly, discovered something powerful. Although we all shared Albanian roots, each of us had a very different family story. And yet, no one ever questioned anyone’s belonging. Being Albanian isn’t about what you know or where you’ve been. It’s part of who you are. This program gave me the chance to finally experience that side of myself and also to meet the people who are shaping and building these countries today.

I had the chance to meet a woman who had lost everything during the war and yet managed to rebuild her life and succeed despite everything. Her courage was inspiring. As a woman, I felt empowered and reminded that anything is possible. ♥️

The program was diverse and exciting. We went hiking in the mountains, explored historical sites with guides, but also enjoyed dance nights and afternoons by the sea. Every day brought new discoveries, laughter, and shared moments.

Today, I can proudly say I am both Bosnian and Albanian. This experience gave me a sense of belonging I had never felt before.