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Suppose you’re a fan of Albanian music. In that case, you don’t want to miss the upcoming event featuring Inva Mula and Genc Tukiçi. On May 24th, they will perform live in New York to support the OriginAL program. As the name implies, OriginAL offers a new perspective on Albanian culture and heritage. The dream of OriginAL …

Inva Mula and Genc Tukiçi to perform in New York for the OriginAL Program Read More »

Although the details of a particular experience may fade, the feelings and emotions accompanying it remain etched in our memories forever. The OriginAL was created to provide young Albanians in the diaspora an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and encounter their country of origin from a fresh and exhilarating perspective. We are overjoyed to …

OriginAL: Reconnect with Your Albanian Roots and Create Unforgettable Memories Read More »

The city of Berat is one of the oldest and most important cities in Albania (otherwise known as the city of 1001 windows). In 1961, Berat was officially declared a museum city and today, it is an important tourist city and a UNESCO-protected place for its cultural and historical heritage. Berat, designated a UNESCO World …

Berat, the city of ‘një mbi një dritareve’ Read More »

From the 6 to the 27th of March, the Albanian Diaspora Young Adults can apply to participate in the OriginAL 2023 program, which will be held from August 2 to 16.  LINK TO APPLY The dream of OriginAL is to provide a unique and life-changing experience for Albanian youth that will take them on a fascinating journey to the …

OriginAL 2023 Program – Applications are OPEN! Read More »

During its pilot year in August 2022, OriginAL gathered 40 young people from the diaspora to help them find their Albanian heritage. OriginAL began in Pristina and concluded in Tirana, providing almost two weeks for young diaspora members to explore their country of origin from a different perspective. On the final day of OriginAL, we …

Happy Independence Day from OriginALs Read More »

My father migrated from Kosovo Obliq in 1992, heading to Germany and living there for five years; then, in 1997, he moved to the UK. My mother was forced by the Serbian police and army to leave Kosovo in April 1999  from Fushe – Kosove. She was deported to Macedonia in a refugee camp in …

“Their bodies might be in the UK, but their mind is always in Kosova” Read More »

In post-communist Albania, it was impossible to build a life with dignity. That’s why my parents decided to leave Albania. Following the fall of communism, people were tired and disappointed by the virtues that aspired to communism and returned to the worship of anarchy, corruption, and money – thus losing any sense of identity. The …

Humans of OriginAL: The migration story of Ilaria Kastrati’s family Read More »