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Mr. Vebi Velija is founder and president of “Velija” Foundation, established on 13 July 1994. It is the expression of its founder’s belief that for a nation is possible to survive with little food, but never with a little culture. In order to secure the future of any nation, facilitating the creation of a vital cultural nucleus is a must. As regards the Albanian culture, “Velija” Foundation has managed to provide such facilitation. The Velija Foundation is a national non-profit organization that functions through the financial support of its founder. Throughout its existence the Velija Foundation has attempted to bring to life and address the following goals: - Supporting national culture - introducing European and international cultural traditions in Albania and encouraging the adoption of such traditions among Albanians through the common sharing of universal human values - encouraging and organizing educational and humanitarian activities Mr. Velija is also well-known for his famous donation beyond the borders of Albania. This is an annual international award called “Premija Kadare”, named after the most famous writer of this region, Ismail Kadare, who is the chair of this award’s jury. The first laureate was the internationally known Argentinean writer Ernesto Sabato, followed by the equally famous Czech writer, Milan Kundera. Furthermore, the Foundation grants generous funds to award the best works at national film, theatre and folk song festivals, as well as the best annual works in the fields of literature, journalism, photography, television and painting. Both the Velija Foundation and the Premija Kadare International Award represent a continuous contribution to the promotion of culture, not only within the framework of the Albanian nation, but also internationally, thereby reflecting the timeless efforts inherent in every human being to leave behind something eternal and valuable that speaks of culture as a means of uniting people from all places and for all times. |
