Greetings from Albania acknowledges artistic works of Albanias children
USAID, Ministry promote tourism in Albania
MARCH 27, 2008 Winners of the 4th Greetings from Albania Postcard Campaign were announced at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports. U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers, II and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Ekrem Spahia congratulated the young artists on their participation.
This is the fourth year that USAID has conducted the Greetings from Albania campaign which taps children's artistic talents to help promote Albania as an attractive, inviting tourist destination. This year, over 900 youth from 18 communities across Albania submitted drawings, paitings, and photographs. Winning entries are used by the Albanian tourism industry in tourism events and the trade fairs across Europe to promote the image of the country.
The winners of the first prize were: Tirana - Alisa Mano, 10 years old; Durrės - Sofjana Dafa, 18 years old. Five consolation prizes were awarded to: Berat - Ardi Selimaj, 10 years old; Tirana - Ardit Vata, 11 years old; Pogradec - Naumilda Como, 13 years old; Gjirokastėr - Migena Gjokoli, 12 years old; Tirana - Xhoelta Guri, 14 years old. The winners received video and digital cameras funded by USAID. The event included an exhibition of the competition entries, dancing performed by dancers from the Jordan Misja, and images of Albanian tourist destinations and attractions.
The initiative is the result of cooperation among international, national and local organizations which include representatives from the Albanian tourism industry; the Municipalities of Korēė, Pogradec, Gjirokastėr, Durrės, Shkodėr, Tirana, Berat, Vlora; regional education departments; painters group of the Childrens Culture Centers in Tiranė and Durrės; SOS Village. This is one of the several initiatives to support Albanias tourism sector and help place Albania on the map of world tourism destinations.
USAID increases the competitive advantages of the Albanian tourism sector by offering technical assistance to individual businesses and organizing joint activities benefiting the entire industry.
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