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| Fabjola Kodra |
In the elections held for the referendum for the parliamentarians and senators in Italy, the "Yes" votes dominated.
At the same time, local elections were held in seven regions of Italy.
Millions of candidates were registered on various lists and in the end some managed to get elected and some not. It is very interesting to understand what motivates a person to run, in short, to understand his goals, choices, preparatory work, and finally, the emotions experienced when he wins.
An old Albanian saying goes that in order to know really a person, it is enough to give him a lot of money or power. And of course, we could not let go of the opportunity to verify how true this expression is.
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| Vignola |
Among the thousands of people selected, I was impressed by the words posted on Facebook by an Italian-Albanian girl. She is Fabjola Kodra, a girl born in Durrës, 25 years ago, who in the last elections in the municipality of Vignola, Modena, a province in Emilia - Romagna, was the second most voted on her list with 160 preferences (6 less than the leading candidate) in a municipality with 25,622 inhabitants.
Fabjola is a young girl belonging to the second generation of immigrants, of that generation who were born or arrived in Italy as children, attending most of the training in Italian schools, institutes, and universities.
What is your proposal within the PD program?
Representation is the most important factor. I say with conviction: I had proposed to do this, that is, to represent who I am. I am a young girl and a second-generation immigrant. But I will also be a worker, a mother, and one day even older.
I start from the essence of democracy, which is to send the demands of those you represent to the right direction, the institutions. We know the general dissatisfaction and disbelief that exists is certainly not a new phenomenon, but now more than ever we know this feeling. And then we start from the core of what a "chosen one" should be: a bridge. I feel like a bridge, I could not be otherwise, I am the daughter of two languages and two cultures.
In the city council, I will do my best to implement projects on the environment, school, culture, and equal opportunities. I am talking about educational courses on gender equality, on the environment, increasing anti-bullying campaigns, increasing anti-violence centers and the volunteer network, breaking down architectural barriers, creating spaces, and cultural events for young artists. I could go on like this indefinitely.
Why do you think they voted for you?
Maybe because they saw in me someone who "breaks the shell" and dares. Sure, I worked hard on this election campaign, but I was convinced I would be able to get the vote of the family and friends, that’s it. I do not have many good public relations skills, so I am really surprised by the result. I appreciate ideas a lot, I collect people's opinions, I knock on doors, I go from park to park, conveying my message to as many people as possible.
Do you think having dual citizenship, belonging to multiple cultures and speaking multiple languages is an advantage and if so, why?
Knowing is always an advantage. To know whether it is a language, a dish, a cuisine, a place. Knowledge is simply beautiful and enriches us. Growing up I realized. As a child trying to adjust to my peers, this weighed on me and I was probably happy that I did not know Albanian well. But now… I just want to tell kids today that it's not a burden. Nor do I want to be false: it is not true that we are all the same. We are all different! And it is so beautiful. We should be thankful for the uniqueness and diversity. Because these are the things that make us beautiful, real and allow us to present ourselves to others without filters.
You are of Albanian origin. What is Albania for you?
A mother I know little about, of whom I am still unknown, but who I hold deep in my soul. So much so that in the future I do not rule out personally committing to it!
What does it mean to have a foreign name in your daily life?
Youth has a different vision: they grew up with friends from all over the world, they traveled and they know that to be a patriot there is no need to share and exclude. Jokingly they told me one day: "have you managed to teach people in Vignola to write Kodra…" This applies to K (is not used in the Italian language), as is the case for other foreign names and surnames: if they have learned to speak English, French, Spanish. They will also learn to say Kodra, or Ahmed, or Khadija.
What do you think it means to integrate and what are the proposals that need to be made to improve immigration policies?
For a long time we have, or rather believed, that integration was undoing the origin. Are you not baptized? But how have you been integrated? Do you speak Italian at home? Wow, how good you are. Do you only have Italian friends? You are very integrated. Integration should not be a substitute for the country of origin.
And I believe that policies dedicated to immigration should go through and start from a very important basic concept. People are not graphic in the shape of a cake. They do not need to be measured by data and percentages on their Italianness or being a foreigner. Love for one land, Italy or another, is not a matter of percentages! Love has no limits. And I can be endlessly in love with Italy, but I can be Albanian at the same time.
Starting with schools, only in this way can we think of a diverse and peaceful society that coexists by sharing. It will take time, but the best things take their time.
Do you notice any differences between your parents and you in the way you live in Italy?
Sure, but I think it has to do with generational issues. Over time we have all grown up. I, according to the age, have passed into adulthood, they as persons, as parents and individuals walk with me to this famous leap in adulthood and accompanied me very well. Even if it was difficult for me to combine diversity, they helped me with a lot of responsibility.
You are of Albanian origin, but what is your mother tongue?
I could not have said half of the things I said in these eight questions in Albanian. Italian is my language, Italian is the most beautiful language in the world.
We like to close this interview with Fabjola's words written right after we learned that she is a member of the Vignola city council. "The first feeling is certainly an immense feeling of Gratitude. It would have been regardless of the result, but now "My heart is full". "Immediately after that, I felt a strong sense of responsibility."
We just have to wish her good luck on her new path, telling her that nothing will be easy, but also nothing will be insurmountable. And who knows better than a girl like Fabjola?/AlbaniaNews