 |
| Ilir Meta while giving the decoration to the Father Antonio Belushi |
Father Belushi was decorated for his contribution to the dissemination, recognition, study, preservation, and the enrichment of the rare Arbëresh history, language, customs, and culture.
Meta said in his speech that Father Belushi, as a parish priest, publicist, scholar, teacher, ethnologist, historian and academic, has worked with wisdom, passion, and dedication to recognize, preserve and develop the culture, history, language and customs of the Arber people for more than a half-century.
"Acknowledgment of those precious values as the author of many studies and works on the recognition and connection of Albanians around the world, prominent as a tireless activist in conveying and strengthening Albanian national identity among the Arbëreshes of Italy," Meta wrote on his Facebook.