Kamela Guza, IOM Albania Diaspora Programme Fellow's Interview

-You studied and work abroad? Can you talk about yourself, your professional journey?

I was born and grew up in Durres. I say this with a sense of pride and belonging. I left Albania and moved to Italy in 2004, after finishing high school. I originally settled in Venice, where I completed my first two years at the Faculty of Architecture at IUAV (Istituto Universitario di Architettura). After two years I moved to Florence where I graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, with a bachelor's degree in Architecture History. After graduating, I returned to Albania for over a year, where I worked, and then went back again to Florence for a doctorate in Architectural History. The doctorate provided me with a solid foundation for research an activity I continue today. In Italy, I’m mainly engaged in the research of private residences, the so-called 'Florentine villas' of the XV-XVI centuries, the golden age of the Italian Renaissance. During my doctoral years, I was also part of the academic staff, collaborating with professors of the History of Architecture in Florence. Since 2017 I am a Co -professor at the Architecture Department of Albanian University “Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë” in Tirana.

In addition to my career in architecture, my passion for translation has also accompanied me. I have translated into Italian the novel “Lumenjtë e Saharasë” (The Sahara Rivers) and two dramas: “Fluturimi mbi teatrin e Kosovës” (Flying over the theater of Kosovo) and "Burrnesha" (Sworn Virgin).

- What are some of the challenges that the Albanian community faces abroad, specifically in Italy?

The Albanian diaspora in Italy has found its own space. There are many entrepreneurs and highly skilled professionals contributing to various fields. There are also representatives of the Albanian Diaspora in the scientific and academic research environment. Albanian Diaspora living in Italy is better integrated than before. Many Albanians have already received Italian citizenship, formally becoming part of the European community.

What can be reinforced is the strategic network and cooperation between the Albanian Diaspora community, as well as the strategic mechanism to support Albanian Diaspora engagement and contribution to the home country. This could be an interesting challenge for the future.

- What is your connection to Albania and your hometown?

When I come back to Albania, I mean Durres, the sea and the human dimension of this seaside town. I can't live without water. Even in Italy, I have lived in two water towns, in Venetian canals and the Arno River in Florence. 

Last few years I was given the opportunity to know Tirana much better, which in fact has welcomed me. What I like is the dynamic and international atmosphere of Tirana.  I find it attractive. It gives the city a penetrable character, allowing easier knowledge and communication with it and its people.

- How is Albanian Diaspora in Italy contributing to the home country?

I have been in contact with the Albanian diaspora in Italy in recent years, and like the diaspora in other countries, I think that the current innovation is the fact that in Albania, unlike in the past, the investments focus more in the intellectual contribution and not only in terms of remittance or economic investment.  Now Albania Diaspora is supporting the country of origin through ideas and intellectual energy and knowledge. This is the contribution that I personally and my colleagues are trying to make, and I am convinced that many others like us are striving in this direction.

The scientific diaspora summit that took place on September 27-28, 2019 in Tirana, was a very good indicator of the prominent involvement of the Albanian Diaspora. In this regard, the Albanian government is also sensitive, beginning to appreciate the importance and the power of ideas coming from the diaspora, as a fruitful investment for the future of Albania.

- Where does it consist of the project research “The Diaspora as a Resource for the Knowledge, Preservation, and Enhancement of the Lesser Known Cultural sites in Albania”?

 The Programme 'Engage the Albanian Diaspora to the Social and Economic Development of Albania' is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Albania, the UN Migration Agency, with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in coordination with the Albanian State Minister for Diaspora, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economy through Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA).

As it’s seen, the entities involved with this programme are prestigious. The programme is ambitious and complex. One of the key components of the IOM Diaspora Programme is the development of the country of origin through know-how and skills transfer. In the light of this, we are engaged in the project research “The Diaspora as a Resource for the Knowledge, Preservation, and Enhancement of the Lesser Known Cultural sites in Albania”

We are six young researchers  (fellows),  members of Albanian Diaspora, under the coordination of the Department of Architecture in the University of Florence, Italy, working on a research in three selected areas of Albania: Vlorë (Zvërnec), Shkodër (Razëm) and Përmet (Bënjë & Leusë) to support the territorial development of the home country through assessment of cultural heritage and natural resources of the above-mentioned communities. The project is scientifically coordinated by Prof. Antonio Lauria, from the Department of Architecture in the University of Florence, Italy. We are specialized in various profiles: territorial design, architectural history, architectural technology, structural aspects of traditional constructions, architectural restoration and urban sociology. The approach is interdisciplinary and strives to cope with the complexity of problems from various angles, for a complete and richer vision.

The first stage included the implementation of a thematic workshop with Albanian students who study in Firenze aiming a 3D Laser Scanner survey of three monuments in Permet area: Church of Leusa (Kisha e Leusës), Church of Kosina (Kisha e Kosinës) and Katiu Bridge (Ura e Katiut) in Bënjë.

The second stage is where I and my five colleagues have been mostly involved. The first step of this stage took place from May until July. During these three months, we all moved to Albania to conduct field research in the five above - mentioned areas to collect scientific information available. The second step is the design of guidelines for the development of the cultural heritage strategies to be finessed by early 2020.

The programme also has a third stage that will start in February 2020 and will last six months. At this stage, three architectural /urban restauration projects will be developed upon the three laser-scanned monuments in Permet: in the Church of Leusa, in the area around the Church of Kosina and on the Ottoman Bridge of Katiu in in Bënjë.

These guidelines and three architectural /urban restauration projects will be handed over to the relevant local governments as an operating instrument for them to improve the touristic attraction of these sites and develop these areas.

- Any other message for the reader?

I would like the reader not to associate the end of this interview with the thought, "these are only words! Who knows how many projects are left on paper...!” (Smiles) Projects are never only words. In the projects, people dedicate their intellectual and spiritual energy for a precious purpose aiming the cultural growth of a country. Immediate results cannot be desired and hoped for, development processes are slow. I think all efforts that go towards cultural growth should be appreciated. The Albanian reality has a demanding need for cultural growth, which is the invisible part, but the solid basis on which the visible parts can be relied upon. Without the cultural foundation everything else is fragile, and 30 years of transition have shown this.