The president of Kosovo, an Eastern European country, visited Waterbury and thanked Albanian residents for their support on Saturday night.
Children in traditional costumes are eager to greet Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. The president is welcomed by the crowd at the Albanian American Cultural Center.
“With your help, Kosovo has found its own voice, the dream of freedom and independence in the world becomes a reality,” said Osmani-Sadriu. “Let us make sure that the friendship between Kosovo in the United States becomes stronger so that our future children and our grandchildren will inherit an indestructible bond that lasts, lasting partnerships and a future built on freedom and dignity.”
Kosovo is a country with one million people, mainly Albanians. It declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Since then, Kosova and the United States have been strong allies.
Senator Richard Blumenthal said: “The freedom fighters in Kosovo deserve our whole hearted support and I will continue to be in your corner.”
Waterbury has a large Albanian population, but people from the state have been here all the time just to see the president of Kosovo.
“We still feel like one person,” said Mugney Zhaku of Franklin, New Jersey. “We are here, but our hearts are there.”
Young Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr.
“Their contribution to the culture of our city, our economy and civic life has enriched Waterbury generations,” he said. “Our community is tied to the shared values of faith, family, hard work.”