Still, one wonders how this group of people managed to keep their identity, customs and religious rites intact. For Ludovico, the key role in this epic story has been the language, transmitting it from one generation to the next to retain the memory of an old nation.

“Language is preserved, but also the cuisine. Every national holiday we eat Albanian sweets as kurskull and petula,” added Ludovico.

According to Roberto Blason, the Arbereshe are very protective of their families, and this has kept their traditions alive. Roberto is Italian but was introduced to the Arbereshe when he met and later married Dominga Giordano.

“I had no choice but to learn the language because the Giordanos used to talk in Arbereshe among themselves,” Blason said. He is one of the founders of the Frascineto Association.

The secretary of the association, Maria Elena Vitale, is also Italian. After she married an Arbereshe man, she became so fascinated with the culture that she decided to make it her own.

“We founded the association in order to keep in touch. Here we meet to honor our ancestors,” Vitale said.

The group’s plans for the future include teaching Albanian, motivating their children to follow in their footsteps and marching in the Procession of the Virgin in their native dress. “I still have my grandmother’s dress. It’s as good as new,” said association member Carmela Groppa.

Despite their enthusiasm, they are concerned for the future of the association. Only close relatives and those married to an Arbereshe can become active members. This, especially for Blason and Vitale, can mean the beginning of the end if they fail to engage their children and grandchildren in the Arbereshe story. The Arbereshe understand that the best weapon against time is the emphasis on oral transmission; the challenge is to pass on their legacy to their children. While everyone recognizes that their “Italianization” and “Argentinization” have been inevitable, their patriotism has been essential in preserving the Arbereshe community and customs.

One can’t help but wonder what actually links them to Albania and how they can be nostalgic for something they have never seen. “My bond with the Albanian people becomes stronger when they are criticized. It hurts because they have suffered but still stood brave,” said Maria Colacino. The idea of suffering and courage is raised behind the figure of national hero Skanderbeg. His life reminds them of their perpetual diaspora and has been essential in establishing the identity of Arbereshe, so much so that it haunted one of the greatest names in Argentine literature. Writer Ernesto Sabato’s bond with his Arbereshe mother, Juana Ferrari, inspired his great interest for the Arbereshe. In his book “The Angel of Darkness,” Sabato reaffirms Skanderbeg’s courage as the reason for “the Republic of Venice and maybe all of Occident” prevailing. In 1998, Sabato saw his dream realized when he visited Albania to receive the Kadare Award, assuring he did it “not to deny that poor, heroic country, again.”

The story of the Arbereshe is a struggle against ages, but also against modern time. They have never denied their past and have created their own narrative. This can serve as an inspiration for many Albanians, for children of a diaspora, scattered and taking root in new lands while never forgetting where they come from or who they are.

The language of memory

Descendants of Albanian migrants in Argentina haven't forgotten home.

The language of memory

Descendants of Albanian migrants in Argentina haven't forgotten home.

Tringa Berisha

The language of memory

Descendants of Albanian migrants in Argentina haven't forgotten home.

The language of memory

Descendants of Albanian migrants in Argentina haven't forgotten home.

Tringa Berisha