On June 28 the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta Stefano Palumbo hosted the annual reception on the occasion of the Solemnity of St. John the Baptist, Patron Saint of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The diplomatic corps accredited in Albania who joined the celebrations were the Apostolic Nuncio H.E. Ramiro Moliner Inglés and the Secretary to the Nuncio Mons. Romanus Mbena, the Ambassadors of Slovenia, Croatia and Spain; diplomats from the Embassy of Poland and the Embassy of Italy; The Director of the Italian Institute of Culture, Dr. Adriana Frisenna and the Consul General of the Italian Consulate General in Vlora Mr. Stefano Bergesio.

Religious authorities present besides the Nuncio were the General Vicar of Archdiocese of Shkoder-Pult Dom Nikolin Toma, the Vicar of Diocese of Tivar of Montenegro Father Pashko Gojcaj, the Administrator of Sapa Diocese Dom Simon Kulli, the Vicar General of the Heart of Christ Parrish in Tirana father Zef Bisha, the Responsible for the Catholic Schools in Albania Sister Teuta Buka, the Director of Caritas Tirana-Durres, Dr. Majilinda Gjoni, the Representative of the Catholic Church in Elbasan, Dom Emilio Valente and the Vicar general of the Cathedral of Saint Stephen in Skhoder, Dom Artur Jaku. There were also representatives from the Othodox Community. Archimandrite Kozma Prifti was present on behalf of His Beatitude Anastasios the Archbishop of Tirana and Durres.

Representatives of State institutions such as the Deputy Minister of Education and Sport Mrs Nora Malaj, the Diplomatic Advisor of the President of the Republic Ambassador Valter Ibrahimi, the Diplomatic Advisor of the Prime Minister Mr. Thomas Frasheri  and the Deputy Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Andi Seferi also were present.

Representatives of the academic world included well-known professors and doctors, as well as representatives of the Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel” such as the Vice Rector Prof. Tritan Shehu attended the event.

The Albanian Organization of the Order of Malta with its considerable group of volunteers was present as well, under the leadership of Dr. Maranaj Marku.

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