A Personal Reflection by Gazmend Freitag on President Bajram Begaj’s Historic Meeting with the Albanian Community in Upper Austria

 Gazmend Freitag and Albanian president Bajram Begaj, PHOTO: © President of the Republic of Albania

 It was a great pleasure to witness the conversation between the President of Albania and the Albanian community in Upper Austria, in Linz. Invited by the Ambassador of Albania to Austria, Fate Velaj, who is also a well-known painter in the artistic circles of Vienna and Albania, I warmly welcomed the conversation between the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, and the Albanian community in Upper Austria, which took place at the “Lentos” Museum, precisely in Linz, the city where I also live.

Gazmend Freitag while speaking at the meeting if President Begaj with the Albanian Community in Upper Austria, PHOTO: © President of the Republic of Albania

Austrian media covered Begaj's visit in great detail and with kindness, highlighting his historic first visit as President to the Linz Municipality and his meeting with the mayor, Ditmar Prammer. The meeting was enthusiastic and warm.

In my brief speech, I praised the contribution of President Begaj as a president for all Albanians, as well as the efforts of Ambassador Velaj in strengthening the ties between Albania and Austria. During his conversation, President Begaj impressed me with his personality, philosophical thoughts, and his love for our Albanian community in the city of Linz. President Begaj is known for his affection for art, frequently visiting various exhibitions and even organizing such events at the Presidency of Albania. President Begaj proved that he is the President of all Albanians!

Gazmend Freitag, Painter
LENTOS MUSEUM LINZ, 26.03.2025