On the occasion of the 113th anniversary of Albania’s Independence and the 81st anniversary of its Liberation, the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Greece had the distinct pleasure of hosting a ceremonial reception in Athens in honor of members of the diplomatic corps, senior Greek officials, and distinguished guests from various fields. The event took place at the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne.
The reception was honored by the presence of senior representatives of Greek state institutions, including Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikos Dendias, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Harry Theoharis, Mayor of Athens Mr. Haris Doukas, His Eminence Metropolitan Anastas of Korca, members of the parliaments of both countries, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the armed forces, as well as prominent figures from the fields of art, academia, culture, and business from Greece and Albania.
Carefully curated in every detail, the evening highlighted elements of Albanian culture, identity, and hospitality, seamlessly blending institutional formality with artistic elegance. The event reflected the enduring spirit of friendship and cooperation that unites the Albanian and Greek peoples. Guests enjoyed traditional Albanian specialties masterfully prepared by Mr. Altin Prenga, Executive Chef of Mrizi i Zanave Agrotourism, a refined selection of Albanian wines provided by ÇOBO Winery, as well as products from Kraco.
In her remarks, Ambassador Luela Hajdaraga emphasized the strength of bilateral relations, which today are characterized by open and constructive dialogue and a shared vision for Albania’s European future. She expressed her sincere appreciation to Albania’s friends and allies for their continued support of the country’s economic development and European integration path. A virtual greeting marking the occasion was also delivered by the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Ms. Diella, who underlined the modern and transformative dimension of the partnership between the two countries.
In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Hatzidakis extended his warm congratulations on these historic anniversaries and reaffirmed Greece’s support for Albania’s European aspirations. In a friendly and symbolic gesture, he addressed the audience in Albanian, wishing them: “Happy Independence Day.”
The evening concluded with distinguished artistic performances, featuring a rich multilingual repertoire by Era Rusi and her band, alongside the acclaimed Greek singer-songwriter Harry Varthakouris. The violin quartet “Enchort,” the folk dance ensemble “Shqiponjat” from Tirana, a photographic exhibition, and traditional attire by Atelier “Tradita” added further cultural depth and a sense of national pride. The warmth and emotional resonance of the music, accompanied by evocative imagery of Albania, created a symbolic cultural bridge uniting the traditions and hearts of both nations.
Happy Independence Day, Albania!
