“Moj e bukura more si të lash e më s’të pash”, these are not just verses for the Arbëresh of Italy. For them, this poem that later turned into song is synonymous with their life in Italy. For author Mario Caliva, these verses have accompanied him throughout his life.

“For us this is the truth. It’s not something mythical or philosophical, but something we always carry in our daily lives.”

Preserving traditions and culture for him and other Sicilian Arbëresh is something that comes from within.

“It is born from the soul and it is something that gives us the opportunity to preserve our language and identity. We Arbëresh and the facts show that we have never forgotten the identity and the land we left when we came here in Sicily, Italy “.

For Caliva, who speaks a beautiful and pure Albanian, the preservation of tradition is not only ensured by laws, but there must be a will.

“The Italian state helps us a lot because there are laws. Law 482/99 states that Arbëresh are also entitled to funding from the Italian state, in order to preserve the language. “The first thing is the love we have for the language, because all laws can exist, but if people do not have it in their hearts, laws do not matter.”

For Arbëresh who left Albania five centuries ago, Albania is a dream. Caliva, has a special expression to describe the love that the Arbëresh have for the land they were forced to leave centuries ago.
“For us, Albania is the promised land.” In this land that for him is “promised”, he and other Arbëresh, always visit.

“We have this connection with heart and soul and very often we go to Albania to meet Albanian brothers and sisters and Arbëresh living in Albania. We have relations with Albania from an artistic point of view, not only friendly but also political and social “.

For him, the connection between the Albanians and the Arbëresh of Italy is natural and both sides need each other.

“Arbëresh needs Albania and Albanians need Arbëresh. After all we are one thing. One nation, one language and one faith. “Our faith is Albanian.”

Mario stressed that there should be intercultural dialogue and respect for other cultures as well. Otherwise, Mario is a writer and playwright. He graduated in “Dramaturgy and Screenwriting” at the National Academy of Drama in Rome. He also completed his doctorate in Economics and Finance and has a master’s degree in Performing Arts where he completed his diploma thesis in Arbëresh Theater.