As the official year of Skanderbeg is about to come to an end, the Presidents of Albania and Croatia visited the community of the Zara Arbanas, the “oasis of Albanians in Croatia”, where they met with the Mayor, the Prefect, representatives of the Arbanas community,and leaders from the local governments and religious authorities.
Arbanas is an area in the southeastern part of the Zara peninsula, today part of the Zara city. It was created in the 18th century with the arrival of Albanians from the Shkodra Lake. They have preserved the original language, mixing it with Croatian and with the Veneto dialect.
Presidents Meta and grabar-Kitarovic visited the Gospe Loretske church, built 300 years ago as a spiritual and protective shelter of the new Zara residents.
Then they visited the Dr.Krune Krstica elementary school, where Arbanas children learn Albanian.
The President of Albania, Ilir Meta, said that these schools have produced generations of academics and intellectuals.
The President of Croatia reminded that the Arbanas have given an extraordinary contribute for the creation and protection of Croatia. There are 11 Arbanas from Zara who gave their life for the country.
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