Preserving the Aromanian identity in Albania: Language, culture and historical legacy

The 29th Seminar of the FUEN Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM) is taking place from 4 to 7 June in Tirana (Albania). Organised by FUEN in cooperation with the Macedonian FUEN member organisation “Ilinden”-Tirana the seminar brought together representatives of Slavic minorities from across Europe. In the AGSM’s 30th anniversary year, the seminar is focused in particular on the situation of the Macedonian national minority in Albania, as well as on the role of national minorities in the Western Balkans on the path towards the European Union. The Director of the Harriet Martineau Foundation Entela Binjaku participated at this Seminar: She said: “In the Republic of Albania, lives traditionally a community, defined by the Law Nr 96/2017 “For the Protection of National Minorities in the Republic of Albania”, as “Aromanian National Minority”.  The Aromanian community of Albania represents one of the country’s oldest national minorities. Recognized today by Law No. 96/2017 “On the Protection of National Minorities in the Republic of Albania,” the Aromanians have maintained their distinct identity, language, traditions, and cultural heritage for generations. Members of the community identify themselves as Aromanians or “Rrâmăni,” the traditional self-designation used in their daily communication and in the Aromanian dialect of the Romanian language”.