In the frame of the volunteering projects cultural activities, the excellent students of “ALSAR” Foundation have arranged two activities on the review of literary works.

In the activity, the review of the work written by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Maksudoglu and entitled “Ottoman History and Institutions” was presented. The main speaker in this activity was a student from the Faculty of History and Philology, namely Indrit Qehajaj.

In his presentation, he highlighted the values and facts that this book by Prof. Dr. Maksudoglu is based on authentic documents, written at a time when they were very influential. The speaker argues that unlike other empires of human society in the history, the Ottoman Empire has functioned as Devlet founded (based) on the principles of Quran that cultivated mentality and practices of respecting cultures and ways of economic, social, educational and artistic of different peoples.

The discussion was also focused on the religious tolerance that prevailed in the Ottoman Devlet and the policies that were followed to maintain such tolerance and to ensure every believer equal rights and the security of life, honor and wealth.

Students though to go beyond the Ottoman history, and to also discuss about the Albanian territories under the Ottomans. It was discussed about the systems that were used by the Ottomans, from pashaliks to Ismail Qemali. Based on the analysis and their evaluation, they valued that this book, directly and indirectly, shed light upon different matters of Albanian society development, from the beginning of the 15^th century to 1912.

In the auditorium, there were students from different faculties who congratulated the speakers on their review and the initiative undertaken by the excellent students of “ALSAR” Foundation, which aims to broaden their cultural horizon.

Supporting the initiatives that aim at promoting the values of our culture and cultural heritage, the “ALSAR” Foundation has provided its contribution toward Women’s Museum, which is established to present through artefacts, documents or other objects of cultural value, the history of Albanian women in periods such as Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Ottoman Period, Renaissance and Independence, Monarchy, World War II, Communism and until today’s decades.

From the women perspective, the Women’s Museum is seen and represents their position in the family, contribution and impact on society to achieve civilization, emancipation and to have their rights.

By displaying personal objects, clothing, documents, filming, furnishings, books, and to any object that is in historic, spiritual and psychological function of women’s lives, the museum will provide unrevealed information. This will help to educate youth, who through the culture can cultivate their knowledge and historical memory.

Through its cultural programs, “ALSAR” Foundation is committed to preserving the values of our cultural heritage.

On the occasion of the World Day for Culture Diversity, “ALSAR” Foundation held the opening ceremony of “Harmony of Cultures” fair at the premises of Tirana International Hotel, in cooperation with the foreign students studying in our country, which now has already been turned into a tradition practiced and enriched throughout years.

In his greeting speech at the event, the Head of “ALSAR” Foundation, Mr. Mehdi Gurra, among others, stated: “It is the third year we organize this event. There are many students from different countries of the world in Albania, who thanks to the contacts that they have created with their fellow students in the universities, don’t feel like foreigners. They have integrated in the Albanian society, and just like all the local students, they are continuing their studies”. “This activity aims at the stimulation, cultivation and development of national culture on the youth, and promotes the raise of awareness for the relationship among cultures considering the cultural diversity as “Common heritage of humankind” and its preservation, concrete and ethical action, inseparable from respect and human dignity. Cultures help people live in harmony.” Gurra said.

Turkey’s Deputy Ambassador in Tirana, Mr Sinan Cem Baş, present at the “Harmony of Cultures” fair, stated: “What we are seeing here today is a wonderful view, there are students from different countries of the world. In the geographical point of view, Albania is a small country, but witnessing the diversity of many different elements cohabitation in this country, we cannot help but be amazed by this view. The best quality that characterizes the Albanians is the tolerance and cohabitation among them. Terms such as racism and other negative terms don’t exist in Albania. In this respect, I want to emphasize that Albania is more developed than some European countries.

The Deputy Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Abaz Hado, in his greeting speech at the activity expressed his support to the organization for such events. “Today, we are in a middle of important emigration inflows and different cultures transition, massive migration for various reasons, who settle in some other systems, which reflect the culture and heritage emigrants bring with them. From in the aspect of cultural exchange between different countries, Albania has become part of this transition, exchanging not only emigration, but also cultures of different countries, by means of the students that come here”, Hado stated.

At this activity, Dr. Halil Hyseni also attended the opening of the fair, who in his speech stated that the stalls from various foreign countries exhibited at the fair indicate an opportunity for students and the youth to present their countries’ culture and spot similarities between them. “Humankind has something in common: establishing peace and harmony among people. Each time various institutions and organizations put efforts and accomplish the creation of bonds, they build bridges that really provide opportunity of connection and communication,” Mr. Hyseni stated.

At the “Harmony of cultures” fair, organized by the “Alternative of the Future” Foundation (ALSAR), youths from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Presheva, Turkey, Italy, United States of America, Spain, Egypt, Canada, Ireland, Poland, Netherlands, Kuwait and Palestine presented their countries’ cultures in the promotion stalls.
Students introduced the historical sites of their respective countries representing culture, art, traditional costumes, historical monuments, etc.

During the event, the documentary “Harmony of Cultures” was also displayed. By the end of the activity, the students who represented their country were awarded certificates of appreciation and acknowledgement.