Tourism, technology and heritage/ Priorities of the Korça District Council for 2025

2025-10-30 15:38:00, Aktualitet CNA

Tourism, technology and heritage/ Priorities of the Korça District

One month after taking office as the president of the Korça District Council, Petrika Tollkuçi assesses that this first period has served as a phase of intensive familiarization with the district's structures, existing projects and the directions where the work should be focused in the future. He describes this month as a dynamic period, where a clear panorama of achievements has been created, but also of the challenges that require solutions in the coming months.

During an interview with CNA TV, Tollkuçi emphasized that the Korça District Council is orienting its work towards projects that have a concrete impact on local development and improving the quality of life of citizens, prioritizing cooperation with the university, business and other local actors.

" I thank your television for giving me the opportunity to present the achievements of the first month as chairman of the District Council. Of course, you are one of the media that has followed the work of the District Council step by step and I appreciate and thank you for this. The first month has been extremely intense and informative, it has offered me a clear overview of the projects that have been finalized during 2025 as well as those that are in the development process. It is important to emphasize that these initiatives are not simply symbolic projects, they lay the foundations for local development and the improvement of the lives of citizens ," declared Tollkuçi.

One of the initiatives that has already entered the implementation phase is the “20 Local Tourist Guides” project, an initiative that aims to create a new generation of licensed guides to promote sustainable tourism in the region. The program is being implemented in collaboration with the “Fan Noli” University and for the first time will certify 20 guides who will serve as ambassadors of local culture and history in the municipalities of the region.

" I have had the opportunity to get to know some of the most advanced initiatives up close, for example "20 local tourist guides", an initiative that the Korça District Council, in collaboration with Fan Noli University, will license for the first time 20 local tourist guides, promoting regional tourism in a sustainable manner ", said Tollkuçi.

Technological development and modernization of higher education also remain in the spotlight. One of the most ambitious projects is the establishment of the Southeastern Region Technological and Scientific Transformation Center "AI Data Center", which is located on the premises of the "Fan Noli" University. Through it, students and local institutions will have the opportunity to apply artificial intelligence in areas such as agriculture, economic forecasts, resource management or data analysis.

" Another very important project is the Center for Technological and Scientific Transformation of the southeastern region, AI Data Center, located at Fan Noli University. We have welcomed the Turkish representatives with whom we have collaborated, who have invested in a modern laboratory, unique for Albania. A laboratory that aims to use advanced technologies for the economic and social development of the region. It will enable students and local institutions to use artificial intelligence in specific fields, such as agriculture, economic and financial forecasts, etc. ," declared Tollkuçi.

In the field of pre-university education, the District Council is emphasizing language education and cultural formation of the younger generation. The “My Language” project will be extended to primary schools and aims to promote the development of linguistic and creative skills of fifth-grade students.

" In terms of continuity, one of the very important projects is the "My Language" project, which aims to promote the development of linguistic and creative skills of 5th grade students, strengthening interest and love for the Albanian language not only as a means of communication but as a very important element of national identity ," said the chairman of the Korça District Council.

In the same educational line, the project "Licesisti - Essays and Inspiration", which will be held within the framework of National Alphabet Day on November 22, will invite high school students to think critically and express through essays the importance of the Albanian language, history and national heritage.

" The project "Liceisti, Essay and Inspiration" aims to promote critical thinking among high school students on National Alphabet Day (November 22), making them aware of the importance of the Albanian language, our history and our common national heritage. The choice of the essay topic aims to recall the importance of the special contribution of the Autonomous Province of Korça ," Tollkuçi declared to CNA.

Another event that will mark the end of the year is “Autonom Fest”, the folklore festival that this December is in its second edition. The event will be held on December 10, the day of the proclamation of the Autonomous Province of Korça, and will bring to the stage ensembles, artistic groups and performers from all the municipalities of the region.

" The most important project of this year is "Autonom Fest" which is being held for the second edition this year. This is a folklore festival that aims to honor the celebrations of the proclamation of the autonomous province of Korça on December 10. The festival aims to honor and remember this very important historical event, where folklore ensembles, artistic groups from all municipalities of the region, will have the opportunity to present their authentic music, songs, dances, costumes and traditions ," said the chairman of the Regional Council.

At the end of the year, attention will be focused on a social initiative aimed at the active inclusion of the elderly in community life. The “Auction of the Third Age” project will gather participants from all the centers of the region in a festive evening, where handicrafts, paintings, traditional clothing and food products made by them will be exhibited and auctioned.

" Also, a very important project that will be at the end of 2025 is the "Auction of the Third Age", which aims to promote the active inclusion of the elderly in community life and to appreciate their continuous contribution to society. A festive evening will be organized with the participation of the elderly from centers throughout the region, where the traditional auction of products made by them such as handicrafts, clothing, paintings, woodwork or traditional food products will also be held ," said Tollkuçi.

Tollkuçi announces that these are only a part of the projects that are expected to be finalized within the year, while the District Council is already preparing the draft budget for 2026, which will include new initiatives focused on the economic, cultural, educational and digital development of the southeastern region.

Korça, according to the chairman of the District Council, is moving towards a new model of local co-governance, where projects do not remain on paper, but take shape through concrete partnerships and active community involvement./CNA