"I'm Speechless"

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama touring the Holocaust History Museum
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21 December 2015

During his visit to Yad Vashem today, the Prime Minister of Albania, H. E. Mr. Edi Rama, toured the Holocaust History Museum, participated in a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance and visited the Children's Memorial.

Prime Minister Rama and his wife Linda were guided through the Holocaust History Museum by Director of the Yad Vashem Libraries Dr. Robert Rozett. During the tour, they took a special interest in the section devoted to the Righteous Among the Nations - non-Jews who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. Yad Vashem's special online exhibition, BESA: A Code of Honor, is dedicated to the unique story of how Muslim Albanians helped rescue hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust. Consequently, almost all the Jews living within Albanian borders during the German occupation survived.

At the conclusion of his visit, the Prime Minister wrote two powerful words in the Yad Vashem Guest Book: "It was a breathtaking experience. I'm speechless."

The Prime Minister was also present at the signing of an historic agreement between the Albanian Ministry of Education and Sport and Yad Vashem. This memorandum, the first of its kind, outlines several projects in the field of teacher-training in Holocaust Education, including a future seminar for Albanian educators at Yad Vashem's International School for Holocaust Studies that will be accredited by the Ministry.

Signing the memorandum was Albanian Ambassador to Israel H.E. Mr. Bardhyl Canaj and Dr. Eyal Kaminka, Lily Safra Chair of Holocaust Education and Director of the International School for Holocaust Studies.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama touring the Holocaust History Museum

The Prime Minister and his wife Linda took a special interest in the section dedicated to the Righteous Among the Nations. They were guided through the Museum by Yad Vashem Libraries Director Dr. Robert Rozett (right).

Prime Minister Rama and his wife lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance

Albanian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Bardgyl Canaj (left) and International School for Holocaust Studies Director Dr. Eyal Kaminka (right) sign a memorandum to increase cooperation in the training of Albanian teachers in Holocaust Education

Albanian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Bardgyl Canaj (left) and International School for Holocaust Studies Director Dr. Eyal Kaminka (right) sign a memorandum to increase cooperation in the training of Albanian teachers in Holocaust Education. Center: Director of the European Department at the International School Richelle Budd-Caplan