TIRANA – A memorial to the lost lives of Jewish people at the time of the Holocaust during the Second World War was inaugurated in Tirana on Thursday which is situated at the hills of the Great Park of the Artificial Lake of the Capital. The event was attended by PM Edi Rama and as key speaker expressed his happiness for the completion of the memorial as a sign not to forget what Albanians did for Jewish people.
“We are the only country with more Jews after the Second World War, where they came to seek protection and salvation, and it also remains extraordinary for the Albanian clergy,” Rama said.
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj said that the act of sheltering the Jews in those horrible years makes all Albanians proud. He underlined that Albania happens to be one of the rare lands in Europe, where there is neither religious prejudice nor hatred, even though Albanians themselves have some religious beliefs. “Discrimination against Jews does not exist in Albania.”
Israeli Ambassador Noah Gal Gendler appreciated the event calling it an excellent act of a small country, which showed an example to be highly valued. “Today we celebrate the gratitude of the Jews for the courageous deed of the Albanian people,” he said. “These are values that still continue to be inherited in Albania,” said the Israeli ambassador in the ceremony which was also attended by descendants of the families who rescued Jews.
US Ambassador to Tirana Yuri Kim said that the memorial is not only a reminder of the past, but also serves the future and provides an example of inspiration and humanity for all./argumentum.al
