Does globalization damage or enrich the culture of a nation?

An open invitation to say: What is your opinion?

Reflection on "Andej Mud Këtej Erë", Ballad Arbërore, by Petrit Rukaj

I just finished the book by the outstanding poet and equally talented screenwriter Petri Ruka:

"There Mud

Here Wind",

Arbërore ballad,

and I didn't want to go to sleep without modestly writing two words.

After a busy day, I thought I'd relax a bit by reading. The day before I had finished the Selected Publicistics of the well-known author Erion Kristo, which was really chosen, a peak in journalism to move to another peak in poetry..

I had in my hands the two books of the Rukaj brothers: "Takim me vetvehten" authored by my dear friend Prof. Ethemin and the quoted book of the "Poet of the Gods", now, Petr Rukaj. I was at a loss as to who to read. I chose the poet.

I am amazed! Sleep exiled. His ballads, verse, metaphors held me as if by magic. The beauty, depth, simplicity and freedom of verse and prose convey a special emotion. They make you feel suspended, weightless, with a sense of relief, purification, reflection, appreciation and pride for the values ​​they carry, for our heritage so exalted by him and for the genius of His pen.

The foreword by Pëllumb Kulla and the essays of His colleagues stood beautifully at the level of the ballads.

 The journey through mixing the past with the present, the tradition with the modern, the eternal with the temporary (as Timo Merkuri paraphrases in his reflection, in this book), leaving the sublimity of the eternal, surprises you.

In these cases, you feel a sense of responsibility that you should do something more, of course, each one in what he knows how to do best, as the poet himself has done in elevating the figures, values, and models that we have as a nation. We feel good when we have values ​​like Prof. Progress Kabo, who do not forget in any case and promote our notables, alongside the notables of humanity, even when the institutions "forget". As the poet himself does in this book when he dedicates each ballad to a colleague from the field of letters or a family member, because even the act of appreciating the family is a value. Also, eight years ago, four months before the consecration, in May 2016, in the capacity of director and screenwriter, he made available to us the first, and only up to that time, documentary that he had made about the figure of Mother Teresa (today Saint Teresa of Calcutta).

Here, it is worth noting that such figures, with such talents, so productive, with such energy to make good art and to highlight the best of this country and to make this country better through their positive criticism should be supported institutionally and financially to give as much of their genius as possible. I had the opportunity to meet him a few times: in the promotion of the book of the poet and folklorist Sejmen Gjokoli, to whom he also dedicates one of his ballads in this book, as well as several times more closely when we worked for the Forum for Mother Teresa, which centered on the Public Lecture of the most prominent researcher of Mother Teresa in the English-speaking world: Dr. Gëzim Alpion, University of Birmingham, UK.

I say this, based on the fact that if the Poet and the screenwriter had been supported today, we would have another wonderful work of his heritage: the documentary about the figure of the prominent personality from Vlonia: Ali Asllanit. I believe this must have remained one of His worries in the living. He had knocked, without result, at the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Vlora at that time. When we talked one day together, I said: There must be people in Vlora who can support this idea. Let's get together, we ask the people of Vlorë for help to finance it, because the communities must also be committed to honoring and enhancing the human assets of their city and province over the years. They elevate cities and return their investment many times over. Time did not leave us.

Someone else will probably have the talent and inspiration to do it, now not only for Ali Asllan or other prominent Vlonians, but also for the poet Petrit Rukaj himself. They should become part of the curriculum. And this is where I like to close, as the book closes with the words of the great Pëllumb Kulla:

"That you were Petrit Rukaj!

 You must be planted!"

What an appreciation!

After this experience, it is worth reading the following: "Meeting with yourself"

Sweet sleep to those who are now weighing down their eyelids and good morning to those who are caressed by the awakening.

Luiza Hoxhaj

Dt. 06/02/2023

Place Branding is a long-term effort

  A reflection on the journey towards a sustainable development of our cities and municipalities, inspired by the award of the small Municipality of Belsh at the Tourism Fair in Berlin, as a model in green development, which I take the opportunity to wish for more success in following:

   Place Branding is a long-term effort, a marathon, not a sprint - changing deep-rooted perceptions of our city, municipality, country is not something you can do overnight. This means that we need a strategy, at every level, that reflects that long-term vision, that will continue to engage stakeholders in this process and that will bring clear benefits to our city, municipality, county or country.

"TALENTS CIRCLE, THEY DON'T RUN AWAY"

I brought back this interview from 10 years ago, since in fact, currently, this phenomenon has taken on frightening proportions in our country, beyond that of a normal circulating process.

20/03/2014

Interview with Luiza Hoxhaj, executive director of the Center for the Study of European Policies for Regional and Local Development (CRDLS Albania). She is one of the organizers of the "Tako Talentet Shqiptare - Meet AlbTalents" conference, which will be held on March 28 and 29 in Vlore.

Hoxhaj explains what a highly qualified professional or a qualified worker is looking for to return: "They are looking for recognition and an environment in which to assert themselves. The salary comes later." We need to go beyond the brain drain rhetoric. Talents today don't go away, they circulate. It is precisely on this point that we must reflect, improve: to ensure that everyone who has gone can also return. Why not also for foreigners to come to Albania." We have studied the emigration of brains, of qualified workers and the opinion of young people about the country where they want to study and we find that: "What talents in every field require, more than money, is an environment where they are appreciated and placed in conditions to express themselves.”

Mrs. Hoxhaj, What is the scale of the phenomenon of leaving Albania?

"The data say that they go about 20 thousand graduates every year. And the number over the total number of immigrants, the percentage of graduates is constantly increasing, according to studies by the World Bank or the IOM. We must affirm in this case the lack of official data from ISTAT. In an absolute sense, it is not true that more academics or qualified workers leave Albania than other countries in our region. What makes the difference is that all these talents who emigrate, have in themselves a positive fact. But this has value if we manage to bring them back again, with the aim of being enriched by their experience. In fact we fail to do so. We can't even attract others from outside. This is a problem that we must solve. This remains a challenge for the Albanian state and society"

Is this also an economic loss?

"Of course. It is a loss of human and economic capital, although it is difficult to determine the extent of this loss. We must calculate how much it costs for the state or Albanian families (overwhelmingly in Albania this is a family investment, without denying the state's efforts) to form a new one and then look at the wealth value they generate abroad. Although it is not said that in Albania they would have been able to make the same contribution. Maybe here such a person would have been just an unemployed person."

What are the decisive factors to convince a qualified young person to choose to return to Albania?

"The center conducted a survey among immigrants, mostly young, partly still abroad and partly returned, asking them to explain: what are the factors behind their choice. There are 110 of them who answered the questionnaire, plus another 20 who expressed themselves through video messages or video interviews. There was a strong correlation between the two groups. In the first place is meritocracy. Abroad young people feel valued not based on their network of acquaintances, but based on what they know how to do, on their skills. Their talent is recognized also because careers there are more transparent. The second point is that this talent must be able to express itself: young people want to have the tools to do their work better. Because if they have to compete with someone who moves to a more functional environment, the risk, according to them, is that "I won't be able to win, even for the same skills". Practically, this means living in a place where research is funded, supported and a friendly environment is tolerated.”

And how important is the salary?

"On average, salaries abroad are certainly higher. But for immigrants, this factor is only in the third place. Even in various European countries, the "Law against exodus" has acted on this point with a series of tax incentives. This is an important innovation, but not enough. Why? Again, the priority for a talent is to have an ability to recognize values and a context that provides the technical and cultural tools to work well and improve. The desire to return is for almost everyone, for love, for a sense of belonging, or to make a contribution to the country of origin. But this only materializes in the presence of a supportive (favorable) environment."

A very cultural change, how can we encourage it?

"I think that positive lobbying activities, such as those of "Tako Talentet AlbTalents - Meet AlbTalents", are useful to break the resistance to change. It is very important to create a critical mass, both in Albania and abroad her, to then ensure that regulatory and non-regulatory initiatives find a fertile ground to develop. "

What is "Meet Albanian Talents-Mee AlbTalents"?

"Tako Talentet Shqiptare - Meet AlbTalents" is an effort to bring together all the actors who want to give their contribution to promote brain circulation. From young people abroad, who want to network (we have the As@an network model), to those who have returned and want to make their expertise available. From the deputies, from all parties, who will support a law that curbs brain drain, from local administrators, counties and municipalities, who should accompany it with other measures for brain drain. For example: funding planning for startups, dedicated social services, or one-stop shop counters, like the one implemented in the country. And finally, all companies that are aware that competitiveness is based above all on the availability of qualified human capital."

Some suggestions?

The time when we will formulate the suggestions will be the "Tako Talentet Shqiptare - Meet AlbTalents" conference on March 28 and 29, 2014 in Vlore. There will be several panels that will address exactly these areas. The best practices to be shared will be discussed and legislative proposals will emerge from the discussion with the talents returned to Albania, which will be given directly to the government. A way to ensure that a part of Albania, who have found opportunities abroad, make a contribution to improve the country's system. The region of Vlora has been chosen as the location of the conference, not only as a region that carries all the complex problems of this phenomenon, but also as a region that experiences this problem twice: emigration abroad as well as internal emigration to Vlore. Through the discussions, so far online on the Center's website, about e/migration, we find a great sensitivity of the public or interested parties on this topic. "

Refleksion mbi "Andej Baltë Këtej Erë", Balada Arbërore, nga Petrit Rukaj

Sapo përfundova librin e poetit të shquar dhe skenaristit po aq të talentuar Petrit Ruka:

"Andej Baltë

Këtej Erë", Balada Arbërore, dhe nuk doja të flija pa i shkruar modestisht dy fjalë.

Mbas një dite pak të ngarkuar mendova të shlodhesha pak, duke lexuar. Një ditë më parë kisha përfunduar Publicistikën e Zgjedhur të autorit të mirënjohur Erion Kristo, që ishte vërtetë e zgjedhur, një majë në publicistikë për të kaluar në një tjetër majë ne poezi..

Kisha në duar dy librat e vëllezerve Rukaj: "Takim me vetvehten" me autor mikun tim të nderuar Prof. Ethemin dhe të cipërcituarin libër të "Poetit të Perëndive", tashmë, Petrit Rukaj. Isha në dilemë kë të lexoja. Zgjodha poetin.

Jam e mrekulluar! Gjumi mërgoi. Baladat e tij, vargu, metaforat më mbajtën mbërthyer si me magji. Bukuria, thellësia, thjeshtësia dhe lirëshmëria e vargut dhe e prozës të përcjellin një emocion të veçantë. Ato të bëjnë të ndihesh pezull, pa peshë, me një ndjenjë lehtësimi, purifikimi, reflektimi, vlerësimi dhe krenarie për vlerat që mbartin, për trashëgiminë tonë aq të lartësuar prej tij si dhe per gjenialitetit e penës së Tij.

Parathënia nga Pëllumb Kulla dhe esetë e kolegëve të Tij i qëndronin bukur nivelit të baladave.

Udhëtimi përmes miksimit të të shkuarës me të tashmen, të traditës me modernen, të të përherëshmes me të përkohëshmen (sic e perifrazon në përsiatjen e tij, po në këtë libër, Timo Merkuri), duke ja lënë sublimitetin të përherëshmes, te befason.

Në këto raste të kaplon një ndjenjë përgjegjëshmërie se dhe ti duhet të bësh dicka më shumë, sigurisht seicili në atë gjë që di të bëj më mirë, sic ka bërë edhe vet poeti në lartësimin e figurave, vlerave, modeleve që ne kemi si komb. Ndihemi mirë kur kemi vlera si Prof. Përparim Kabo, që nuk harrojnë në asnjë rast dhe i promovojnë të shquarit tanë, krahas të shquarve të njerëzimit, edhe kur insitutcionet "harrojne". Sic ben vet poeti edhe në këtë libër kur cdo baladë ja dedikon një kolegu nga fusha e letrave ose një familjari, sepse edhe vet akti i vlerësimit të familjes është një vlerë. Po ashtu, tetë vjet më parë, katër muaj përpara shenjtërimit, në Maj 2016, në cilësinë e rregjizorit dhe skenaristit na vendosi në dispozicion dokumentarin e parë, dhe të vetëm deri në atë kohë, që ai kishte realizuar për figurën e Nënë Terezes (sot Shën Tereza e Kalkutës).

Po këtu, vlen të theksohet se figura të tilla, me kaq talente, kaq prodhimtare, me kaq energji për të bërë art të mirë dhe për të nxjerrë në pah më të mirën e këtij vendi dhe për ta bërë më të mirë këtë vend edhe përmes kritikës së tyre pozitive duhen mbeshtetur institucionalisht dhe financiarisht për të dhënë sa më shumë nga gjenialiteti i tyre. Unë pak herë kisha patur rastin ta takoja: në promovimin librit të poetit dhe folkloristit Sejmen Gjokoli, të cilit, gjithashtu, i kushton një prej baladave të tij në këtë libër si dhe disa here më nga afër kur punuam për Forumin për Nënë Terezën, i cili kishte në qendër Leksionin Publik të studjuesit më të shquar të Nënë Terezës në trevat anglishtfolëse: Dr. Gëzim Alpion, Universiteti i Birmingamit, MB.

E them këtë, duke marrë shkas nga fakti se nëse do të ishte mbështetur Poeti dhe skenaristi sot do të kishim një vepër tjetër të mrekullueshme trashëgimi prej tij: Dokumentarin për figurën e personalitetit të shquar vlonjatë: Ali Asllanit. Besoj se kjo duhet të ketë mbetur një nga brengat e Tij në të gjallë. Kishte trokitur, pa rezultat, në Ministrinë e Kulturës dhe Bashkinë e Vlorës të asaj kohe. Kur e biseduam një ditë së bashku unë i thashë: Duhet të ketë njerëz në Vlorë që mund ta mbështesin këte ide. Bëhemi bashkë disa, tu kërkojmë vlonjatëve ndihmë për ta financuar, sepse edhe komunitetet duhet të impenjohen për të nderuar dhe lartësuar asetet njerëzore të qytetit dhe krahinës së tyre ndër vite. Ata i lartësojnë qytetet dhe ua kthejnë shumëfish investimin. Koha s'na la.

Dikush tjetër, ndoshta do të kete talentin dhe inspirimin për ta bërë atë, tashmë jo vetëm për Ali Asllanin apo të tjerë vlonjatë të shquar, por edhe për vet poetin Petrit Rukaj. Ata duhet të bëhen pjesë e kurikulës mësimore. Dhe këtu më pëlqen ta mbyll, sic mbyllet edhe libri me fjalët e të madhit Pëllumb Kulla:

"Se ti ishe farë Petrit Rukaj!

Ti duhesh mbjellë!"

Cfarë vlerësimi!

Mbas këtij përjetimi ja vlen që leximi i radhës të jetë: "Takim me vetvehten"

Gjumë të ëmbël atyre, që tani po u rëndojnë qepallat dhe mirëmengjes atyre, që po i përkëdhel zgjimi.

Luiza Hoxhaj

Dt.06/02/2023