VOICES From Migrations | Valenti Likollari's story

"VOICES From Migrations” is a project co-funded by the European Union exploring untold migration. Valerti Likollari moved from Korçë, Albania, to Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1997. This is his story:

Valerti Likollari | VOICES From Migrations

“I began my journey in Greece in 1997. Before that, I lived in a village near Korçë, close to the Greek border. The civil war had torn the country apart, and life in Albania had become challenging. The situation was unstable; people walked around with guns, and fear was everywhere. I knew I had to leave in search of a better life.

I will never forget my first week in Greece. My initial reaction was “wow”. I kept asking myself: ‘Where am I?’ Everything looked so different. My village had felt isolated, while Greece seemed like a huge, beautiful, and free world.

The first barrier I faced was the language. I struggled to learn Greek, especially since I hadn’t done well in school. However, over time, I was able to grasp the basics from interacting with other people, and today I can speak it fluently. The hardest part of my journey was being separated from my loved ones. For five years, from 1997 to 2002, I didn’t see my family. I only spoke to them a few times each month by phone. Those years were some of the hardest in my life, but they also shaped who I am today.

While in Greece, I got married, and now I am a father of two children who were both born here. I am deeply grateful for how accepted they are by our community. My greatest wish is that my children never go through what I did, and instead, lead a life of stability and prosperity.

The biggest struggle I have been facing is bureaucracy. Getting the proper documents was a long and painful process. Without the help of my employer, I would have never managed it. Today, both my wife and I have the proper documents, and my children hold Greek ID cards. My residence permit lasts five years, while my wife’s must be renewed every two years. We hope we will be able to stay in Greece and continue building our life here.”

Interview by: Bjant Çami, Ally Zlatar, Hilal Taha, Péter Lemnyi, and Ilaria Bianca Roșu.

Valerti Likollari's interview, excerpt

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.