By Dash Frashëri, publisher of TiranaDiplomat.com

Reading a book, enjoying a work of art and listening to a song are part of a traditional ritual of the American ambassador to Albania, Yuri Kim.

Kim has a special love for Albanian culture. Its most prominent names. From the writer Ismail Kadare to the sopranos Ermonela Jaho and Inva Mula, the pop star Dua Lipa or the painters Leon Cika and Anastas (Taso) Konstandini.

Meetings with the Minister of Culture, Elva Margariti, are frequent and beautiful.

When Yuri Kim started her diplomatic life in Tirana, January 2020, she also brought her “wealth” to the beautiful country of eagles.

These cardboard boxes are filled with the books of her most beloved authors, her favorite CDs and art objects of the American diplomat, brought from her home in the USA, to be part of her home in Tirana.

Ismail Kadare is Yuri Kim’s favorite writer. After visiting the Writer’s House Museum, in the company of his daughter, Besiana Kadare, Ambassador of Albania to UNESCO, visits him at his home.

The visit to the Art Gallery it “leaves her breathless”. The first contact with Albanian artists is impressive. He will photograph them all. To enjoy the photos during the evenings at her home.

Like all her predecessors, the American ambassadors, Yuri Kim also begins to explore Albanian art.

The visit to the Skanderbeg Museum in Kruja left an impression. Indelible. Two of the most beautiful works, dedicated to the National Hero of the Albanians, are photographed by the ambassador of the most powerful country in the world, the USA, the protector of Albania.

Even the Archaeological Museum in Durrës has something special to show to Yuri Kim.

Music lives within her. Music divas, the most famous worldwide, such as Dua Lipa, Ermonela Jaho, Inva Mula or even the pop star Ermira Babaliu, are her best friends.

The American ambassador in Tirana, Yuri Kim, participated in the concert dedicated to the folk music singer Fitnete Rexha, held at the National Theater of Opera and Ballet.

Kim is seen smiling next to the singer of popular music Bujar Qamili, and other artists.

Amateur performers attract her like a magnet with their music.

But, and young girls in folk costumes, no less. She feels happy between them.

Movies are another passion of Yuri Kimi. A visit to the Academy of Film and Multimedia “Marubi”, directed by Kujtim Cashku, is of great interest.

Archaeological sites, museums, religious buildings with frescoes and monuments are very popular.

She visits painters’ studios with pleasure. To Arben Golemi, Leon Cika, or Taso of Pogradec.

Works of art are also the focus of Yuri Kim.

Even well-known moderators, such as Alketa Vejsiu and Albana Osmani, or Elinda Sulejmani, have a memory with the beautiful ambassador from America.

Yuri Kim knows very well: “Art is “Love”

Like this photo taken at the Museum of the Albanian-American photographer, the famous Gjon Mili.