Like every immigrant story, Uran Kuci’s story begins somewhere, on a particular date, with the decision to start a new life in a new country. But a new beginning brings new challenges, hope and a new type of love for a community.

These days, he’s busy beginning preparations for Albanian Flag Day, which takes place annually at the end of November. In Canada, he’s created a new story of community leadership and navigating a generation of Albanian Canadians; holding two cultures at once, embracing the old and creating new space in welcoming growth and change.

From Prishtina to Canada

Born and raised in Prishtina, the capital of Kosovo, Kuci grew up in an environment where education was highly valued. Before immigrating to Canada, Kuci had worked for approximately 10 years with the U.S. Embassy in Prishtina, an experience that taught him responsibility, professionalism, communication, and what it meant to work in an international environment.

The decision to immigrate to Canada was not easy for Uran or his family, especially considering that

both he and his wife had already established professional lives in Kosovo.

His wife, Edona, had built a career as a soprano with the Kosovo Philharmonic and Opera.

Like Uran, she was leaving behind a decades-long, extensive artistic professional identity. Yet, in 2009, Uran and Edona made a decision that would change the course of their lives: they immigrated to Canada with their children to open new doors for their future in education, freedom and agency. In Canada, Kuci has kept her creative pursuits, studying interior design.

Their children are also involved in the arts and cultural preservation. Their son Ajs is a neuroscience student at the University of Windsor; meanwhile, their daughter Aksa, a high school student and a lead dancer for the Albanian dance group 'Vatra' caught the eye of Artistè producers, who put the team in the competition and became the selected performers for the Ottawa 25@25 event earlier this year, showcasing Albanian dance, culture and stories. With her fierce energy and passion she brings to the stage, the Kuci family brings vibrant dances and artistic talent to the communities they serve in Canada.

Building a Community in Windsor

In Windsor, Kuci is the first President of the Albanian Canadian Society, an association established two years ago with the purpose of bringing together the Albanian community and representing the Albanian culture and traditions to the city.

For Kuci, this work in the community is a way of giving back for what the community has given to him, but also a way to make the Albanian community more united and to have a stronger voice in the city of Windsor.

Through the Society, the community has organized cultural events, such as Albanian and Kosovo Independence Day celebrations, and flag-raising ceremonies at Windsor City Hall, creating intercultural relationships.

He’s often seen building relationships with the City of Windsor officials, such as participating in “Carrousel of the Nations” and having attendees at his events such as Member of Parliament, Andrew Dowie, Embassy of Kosovo and Albania to Canada, Consulate General of Kosovo in Toronto.

And greetings from leaders such as the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, and Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney. Kuci brings a strong voice, bridging community voice and diplomatic relations to strengthen community ties.

Preserving Identity Through the Next Generation

The society has also supported the Albanian-language school and established Vatra, a children’s Albanian folk-dance group that has represented Albanian culture even at the Parliament of Canada.

The dancers, under the choreography leadership of Joli Agolli Paparisto bring vibrant, Albanian costume, folk dance and their performances have been seen at Albanian flag day events, Windsor’s multicultural festival and 25@25: Honouring Refugees, Resilient and Stories of Survival event at Parliament of Canada.

For Kuci, preserving Albanian identity is very important. As he says, integrating into a new society should never mean losing who you are.

Building a New Professional Life

Kuci has worked hard to educate himself within the Canadian system, obtaining his Canadian Investment Funds qualification, which has opened doors to the financial services industry.

He worked at Investors Group, an important step in developing his career in Canada where he currently works as a realtor building strong professional experience; however, his community service work is where his heart, compassion and love for service all come together.

A Lesson About Starting Again

One piece of advice he offers is that education matters, but when you enter a new environment and a new country, qualifications alone are not always enough.

People need the opportunity to know you, see what you are capable of and learn that they can trust and depend on you.

Donjeta Elshani Hetemi is a legal professional with a strong background in human rights, public administration, and international engagement. She serves as Governance & Public Affairs Coordinator and is also a writer for The Artistè Foundation. To send a story pitch email: Donjeta.Elshani-Hetemi@artistefoundation.ca