FLASH
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The Albanian Ambassador to Austria, Fate Velaj, presented his novel titled “Kreuztanne” at the Reichensteinhof. The reading was accompanied by music by Bernhard Käferböck, while Velaj recounted his journey from applying for asylum to becoming a diplomat.
The initiative for this event came from the Speaker of the Land Parliament, Karl Wilfing. Velaj, an artist and author, tells his personal story in the book, from the moments when he worked as a dishwasher and asylum applicant to his current assignment as ambassador in Vienna.
Velaj considers himself a “Lower Austrian” because he first found shelter in the Gasthof Kreuztanne in St. Anton an der Jeßnitz. During his first official visit to Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Karl Wilfing, he told his story, which gave rise to the idea for the book launch in Poysdorf.
From crisis to art
The novel focuses on his new country, Austria, where he arrived in 1991. He initially worked as a dishwasher and factory worker. To escape the monotony, he took up painting. “ I was very lucky that at the right time I met people who appreciated my talents ,” Velaj said.
Among the guests were also Anny Knapp, chairwoman of Asylkoordination Austria, the mayor's wife, Gudrun Sperner-Habitzl, and Franz Schneider from the Mitmensch movement.
Family presentation and discussion
After participating in the Frankfurt Book Fair and Buch Wien, Poysdorf offered a family atmosphere with plenty of space for conversation. The ORF also reported on the book, which tells the story of a young refugee. After the official part, the discussion continued over bread and wine. The Poysdorf winegrowers and the Schreiber Fruit Tree School offered wines and juices to the guests.
Karl Wilfing emphasized: “ Thanks to great personal effort and the ability to always regain energy, Fate Velaj has managed to seize opportunities .” Velaj added: “ I learned that Austria is not only the music of Strauß and Mozart – it also requires personal effort to get closer to the people .” / Noen
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