New on the Grand Place: Discover ShqipVille by Maison Culturelle Belgo-Albanaise

In the heart of Brussels, right on the Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in the world which is visited by thousands of tourists every day, the most exciting event of the year has happened on 17 November 2022: The giant Christmas tree added freshness and joy to the magical square. But that is not all the news! About the same time the organization “Maison Culturelle Belgo-Albanaise” has opened the doors of “ShqipVille”, an Albanian reception hall that welcomes everyone in one of the historical buildings on the Grand Place!

Visitors of the ShqipVille can discover everything Made in Albania & Made in Kosovo: Craftsmanship, industry, gastronomy, natural resources, folklore, ethnography, arts & science. This initiative started from the Independence Day of Albania, on November 28, and will last until the Independence of Day of Kosovo, on February 17, 2023.

Everything beautifully presented and combined with the true essence of that space that brings this small country right in the middle of the big world: an area that breathes and speaks Albanian, on air amid a long history of success: Jehoha e Shqipes, the Albanian radio created in Belgium since 1986, will now broadcast its frequency from the Grand Place.

The noble purpose of this project? Promotion of values, language, tradition, absorbing foreign investments and introducing Made in Albania products to the Belgian market, which will be offered to customers by the excellent students of the organization “VLERA”.

What activities will take place in the “ShqipVille“? Artists will be offered promotion, businesses will have space and support, well-known personalities podcasts will be moderated by the most prominent personalities of the Albanian diaspora in Belgium, conversations, cultural events, concerts with the most important names of true and authentic Albanian art. But as much as this project is entirely Albanian, the help to implement it is 100 percent Belgian. Because without the support of the Mayor of Brussels, Mr. Philippe Close and Ms. Lydia Mutyebele Ngoi, the alderman for public heritage, this dream would have never become reality.

The organisers invite the public to discover this new Albanian welcome hall in the middle of the amazing Grand Place, where on these cold days the Christmas tree illuminates the nights and the hearts are warmed by the excellent Belgian chocolate served at “ShqipVille”.