Xhorxhia Papa, 17, says she decided to start an Albanian culture club in the fall at the John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science because she wanted to share with others the traditions of the place she comes from.
“It is important to unite with people from the same background and talk to them about your experience,” she says.
The club meets once a week and at any given time there are up to 15 students in attendance -- not all Albanian.
“As an Albanian, I want people to know more of Albania than the fact that it’s just a third-world country,” says Klea Hima, 17, who attends the O’Bryant. “Even though it’s behind on the economy and it’s a small place, it has such a fantastic history, many tourist places to visit, and we have such a different yet amusing culture.”
Club members discuss the things that set Albania apart from other countries.
“I want to teach others about our interesting traditional clothes, dances, and beliefs that make us unique from the rest of the world,” says Ina Dodoveci, 16, who goes to the O’Bryant.
The author is a co-founder of the club.