Kosovo President Receives Warm Welcome in Waterbury, Thanks Albanian-American Community
Waterbury, CT - The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, visited Waterbury Saturday evening to express her gratitude to the city’s Albanian residents for their ongoing support. The visit highlighted the strong ties between Kosovo and the United States, and the importent contribution of the albanian-American community to Waterbury.
Osmani-Sadriu was greeted by a jubilant crowd at the Albanian American Cultural Center, where children in conventional Albanian dress presented her with roses. She emphasized the crucial role the community played in Kosovo’s journey to independence.
“With your help, Kosovo found its voice in the world and the dream of freedom and independence became a reality,” Osmani-Sadriu stated. “Let us ensure that the friendship between Kosovo in the United States grows even stronger, so that our children and our grandchildren in the future, will inherit a bond that is unbreakable, a partnership that endures and a future built on freedom and the dignity.”
Kosovo,a nation of approximately one million people predominantly of Albanian descent,declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. Since then, the country has maintained a strong alliance with the United States.
Senator Richard Blumenthal also voiced his support for Kosovo, saying, “The freedom fighters of Kosovo deserve our wholehearted support, and I will continue to be there in your corner.”
The event drew attendees not only from Waterbury, which has a ample Albanian population, but also from neighboring states. Mugni Zhaku, who traveled from Franklin, New Jersey, expressed a sentiment shared by many: “We feel like one still. we are here but our hearts are there.”
Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr. presented President Osmani-Sadriu with a key to the city, symbolizing the welcoming spirit of the community. He acknowledged the lasting impact of Albanian-Americans on Waterbury, stating, “Their contribution to our city’s culture, our economy and our civic life have enriched Waterbury for generations. Our communities are tied together by shared values of faith, family, hard work.”
