Bledar Alterziu graduated in political science from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", and then earned a master's degree in public finance from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia. He lives in the city of Elbasan, but comes from the Golo Bardo district, where 65% of the population identifies itself as Bulgarian (data from the national census in Albania of 2023). In recent years, Bledar has gained experience in local administration, engaging in various activities, including project management under European programs.

His first contact with Bulgaria was on August 6, 1998. He remembers it vividly to this day: "We seemed to be coming from another reality, because at that time institutional chaos reigned in Albania". 

His decision to come to Bulgaria was completely rational and was related to the difficulties of the transition period in Albania, although these were years of numerous hardships also in Bulgaria. Bledar, however, is grateful that he had the opportunity, as a person of Bulgarian origin, to study in his ancestral homeland.

"It was difficult, but I was lucky to spend my first years in Sofia with Bulgarian roommates, which helped me study the language", he shares in an interview for Radio Bulgaria. "I got a TV in my dormitory. So, from television, from the radio, from newspapers, I learned the Bulgarian language better. Well, I don't know it perfectly, but at least I gained self-confidence and could get along with people."

He tells us that in recent years the activities of schools and Bulgarian associations in Albania have been much more organized compared to the 1990s. With the help of the Society of Bulgarians in Albania and the Bulgarian state, the children in Elbasan now have their own Bulgarian Sunday school. The official recognition of Bulgarians as a national minority by the Albanian state in 2017 also played an important role in this process. But the Bulgarian language still remains a major challenge for university students in Bulgaria coming from Albania. What specific help can the Bulgarian state provide for this process?

"Children here learn about Bulgaria, hear about Bulgaria, but let them also be able to see this Bulgaria. Let there be mutual exchange. We sing and dance traditional songs and dances from our region, but let us participate in such festivals in Bulgaria. This way, knowledge will not remain just part of the classroom. Children will be able to feel and sense Bulgaria. This will certainly motivate them much more."

"In addition to the diplomas, I am also grateful for the fact that I got exposed to another world. My worldview expanded in Bulgaria. I managed to live in this society and understand it. I want the same for our children. This is a hidden gain that I have acquired from my stay in Bulgaria."

To this day, Bledar Alterziu maintains contact with Bulgaria. He travels to Sofia often and never misses an opportunity to meet his friends from the university years. "Bulgaria is my second homeland," Bledar admits:

"I have visited a large part of the country - Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv, Kazanlak, Karlovo, Kyustendil... I like it everywhere. I feel at ease. I communicate in Bulgarian, people understand me, I know the mentality. I am 45 years old, and 25 years of my life have been connected with Bulgaria."

In a conversation about the needs of the Bulgarian national minority, Bledar Alterziu also made a recommendation to the Bulgarian society and institutions in Bulgaria to be more attentive and tolerant towards Albanian citizens of Bulgarian origin, and politicians - to be more active and work to protect the Bulgarian minority in Albania.

"First, we are two peoples in the Balkans, secondly – ​​both countries were under the Turkish Domination so they shared the same difficulties. In social and family relations, in principles we are almost the same. The only things that separate us are the borders, the language and the fact that Islam is predominantly practiced here, and in Bulgaria – Orthodoxy. But this does not prevent us from being close to each other. We love the same cuisine, our value system is almost the same, we have almost the same traditions in our families and in communicating with our friends… We are much warmer, compared to the Western world, where relations seem colder… We get excited about the smallest things, in the Balkan way. And this is probably because we drink rakia here… (laughs)."