Isaac Herzog’s historic visit to Albania highlighted the country’s unique role in saving Jews during the Holocaust. The Israeli president honored the 75 Muslims, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians who risked their lives to protect Jews from Nazi persecution. Despite this heroic legacy, many Albanian youths are unaware of their country’s history.
To address this lack of education, a recent conference in Elbasan brought together teachers to learn about the Holocaust and how to teach it effectively. The conference, organized by The Olga Lengyel Institute, aimed to promote Holocaust education in Albania. The country, with only a small Jewish population, remains largely free from antisemitism compared to other parts of Europe.
The event underscored the importance of educating future generations about Albania’s courageous actions during World War II and the need to combat rising extremism. By sharing stories of Albanian families who sheltered Jews, the conference aimed to inspire students to become active citizens and promote tolerance. The hope is to make this educational seminar an annual event and expand it to include teachers from neighboring Kosovo.