By Dash Frashëri, publisher of TiranaDiplomat.com

“Yuri… Yuri! We want to take a picture with you, please!”

Since January 20, 2020, when the American diplomat, Yuri Kim, was sworn in as the Ambassador of the United States of America to Albania, during an official ceremony at the State Department, she immediately entered in the hearts of Albanians.

Yuri Kim is the 17th ambassador of the United States to Albania, since August 10, 1922, when Maxwell Black was appointed as envoy extraordinary. With the re-establishment of diplomatic relations on 15 March 1991, it was Christopher Hill (Charge-Charge, for the opening of the embassy), before being succeeded by Ambassador William Ryerson. Kim is the third US ambassador, after Marisa Lino and Marcie Ries.

Enthusiastic about the new diplomatic assignment. “I feel honored and very pleased to be in Albania and I am ready to get down to work”, was her first post through the official website of the United States Embassy.

When Yuri Kim presented the Credentials to the President of the Republic of Albania, Ilir Meta, the impression she created was very positive. Diplomat. Beautiful. Elegant. Funny. Tastefully dressed. “All in One”.

The former assistant in the Office of the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, knew well the power of communication through social networks: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. She invited Albanians to follow her messages, which are actually from the United States. The ambassador conveys the official American message.

Personally, for me, even as the publisher of the Online Newspaper “Tirana Diplomat”, it was a challenge to write her portrait. I wanted it to be somewhat special. To have a different point of view.

As a great admirer of the USA, for what the United States represents in my vision, and moreover a regular follower of the official website of the Embassy, by conducting a “photographic research” I believe I also found the special identity of Yuri Kim: A diplomat in love with ordinary citizens, children, youth, ordinary workers and the elderly. With a respectful demeanor. Typical of an American diplomat.

“Yuri… Yuri! We want to take a picture with you, please!”

I chose from thousands of photos of her activities during the three years in Albania, those that I considered to be the essence of her being. Personification of Yuri Kim.

There are 100 photos in this collage. One more beautiful than the other. Kim in several versions. After all, as the most popular expression says: “To be Shkodran, all you do”. I could paraphrase: “When you are Yuri Kim, zou offer a smile!”.

The American ambassador knows touristic Albania very well. He has visited every city in Albania. Someone drank a glass of ouzo; somewhere he bought a ripe corn; somewhere he took flowers, somewhere he even gave autographs.

“Yuri” sounds more beautiful to me like this. SHe has a special love for children. He is happy when it comes to him. When photographed with them. It all shines.

Visits to schools, on the occasion of various activities, are a good opportunity for students to take their dream photo. Keep it as the most beautiful memory of life. They put it in the frame.

Sometimes in a sports hall, sometimes in an auditorium and sometimes in an “American Corner”. Yuri is always ready.

“Yuri… Yuri! We want to take a picture with you, please!” .

The American ambassador has heard this request thousands of times, as have thousands that she has met and photographed.

Yuri Kim, who is the first Korean-American woman to represent the United States as ambassador and the first US ambassador from Guam, continues her beautiful ritual. Always smiling and ready. For the next picture. To make other Albanian children happy, or from communities living in Albania.

The American ambassador is very active in social life in the country. Participate and deliver important messages.

Yuri does not discriminate. She is the ambassador of the country dearest to Albanians: the United States of America. Everyone wants a picture with him. To exchange two sweet words.

Personally, I have never had the opportunity to meet her, although I have followed her as a participant in activities open to the public. Her sweet voice makes you understand her world.

Although the diplomatic duty of an ambassador has a fixed term, and Yuri Kim, like her other predecessors, has left Albania, she has already left her most beautiful photo. Her most beautiful note. At the Memorial of the National Hero of the Albanians, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu.

When I started to write this profile of Yuri Kim – “unauthorized”, as it is defined in the world of letters – I went back in time, many decades later, when the USA was a forbidden dream, when you could listen to the “Voice of America” it was a crime.

For 32 years, the USA has gained the most privileged status in Albania. American ambassadors are idols. And they deserve it. They are the heroes of the Albanians!

About Yuri Kim I could write for a long time, every day a really beautiful writing. But, better than the photos, no one can write her history in Albania!