The president of Kosovo, a country in southeast Europe, went to Waterbury to meet and thank the Albanian residents for their support on Saturday evening.
While waiting with roses in hand, children dressed in traditional clothes were impatient to greet the president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. The president was greeted by a crowd at the American Albanian cultural center.
“With your help, Kosovo has found its voice in the world and the dream of freedom and independence has become a reality,” said Osmani-Sadriu. “Make sure that the friendship between Kosovo in the United States becomes even stronger, so that our children and grandchildren in the future will inherit an unbreakable link, a partnership that continues and a future based on freedom and dignity.”
Kosovo is a country of one million people, mainly Albanians. He declared the independence of Serbia in 2008. Since then, Kosova and the United States have been strong allies.
“Kosovo freedom fighters deserve our support without reservation, and I will continue to be there in your corner,” said senator Richard Blumenthal.
Waterbury has an important Albanian population, but people outside the state came here just to see the president of Kosovo.
“We were still one,” said Mugni Zhaku, of Franklin, New Jersey. “We are here but our hearts are there.”
Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr. offered the president a key to the city, a sign that she and the inhabitants of Kosovo are still welcome.
“Their contribution to the culture of our city, to our economy and our civic life has enriched Waterbury for generations,” he said. “Our communities are linked by shared values of faith, family, hard work.”
