Opening remarks at the inauguration ceremony by Ani Ruci, Executive Director, “Refleksione.”
Good afternoon and welcome to everyone!
I see familiar faces, women and girls artisans, who have participated in the activities of our project, “Empowering women artisans – Boosting the economy of local communities”. Let me say from the very beginning of our inauguration ceremony that it is your participation that made our project not only feasible but also a success story. Thank you for being here today as well, I know how busy you are with spring agricultural work and I really appreciate you found the time to come today.
I would like to greet all of you present today, especially Mr. Sven Kempinski, from the German Embassy in Tirana, that financially supported the implementation of this project and Mrs. Eriselda Sefa, the Mayor of the Municipality of Lushnja for her support and close cooperation, support that has been essential in the successful implementation of our project. I greet “Refleksione” Women Association’s implementing team, the experts of the National Chamber of Crafts, Aurela and Meliha, as well as the local experts from the Municipality of Lushnja, Ariola and Igli.
We are here at the restructured Art Center, “Vace Zela” to inaugurate the “Women Artisans Center of Lushnja”, the first center of its kind in this Municipality. This space has been made available to you by the Mayor of the Municipality, Mrs. Sefa, and it is one of the greatest and most lasting achievements of our project. This center is proof of the strong commitment to supporting you, the artisans of Lushnja, who keep alive the traditions of artistic works with crochet, knitting and embroidery.
It will be a space where you will meet, talk, exchange models and experiences. At the same time, it will also be an impetus to expand the markets where you can sell your works, increase income, gain financial independence, improve the livelihood of your families and your local communities.
This center will help you to keep alive the skills, techniques, traditional cultural heritage and give them to the new generation. You can discuss how to improve techniques, how to combine traditional with modern to meet current market demands. It will be a safe community space where you will gather, support each other and reduce isolation. It will serve to promote your economic empowerment, preserve cultural heritage and make progress in gender equality. When you sell your works, receive income and your role in your family and community will increase.
This center will serve you to increase the knowledge you have gained during the implementation of our project on laws at Handicraft Sector, digital marketing and online platform through mentorship, trainings and workshops.( for more look at the brochure “Creative power of women Artisans in Lushnja” clicking here)
Your center can be connected with other ones not only in Albania but also in the region to cooperate, preserve cultural heritage, enrich it with modern designs, increase income and improve your life. Let me wish you very successes! Enjoy your center!
