A Ukrainian retreat center has opened in Durres, Albania, inviting Ukrainians to engage in restorative bodily and spiritual practices in cozy rooms on the Adriatic Sea.
“Albania is a small and beautiful country in the Balkans with a long and powerful history that has hospitably opened its doors to Ukrainians. Our compatriots are organizing themselves in the community, opening businesses and helping other people. The Ukrainian Center in Durres offers our compatriots, whose emotional and physical condition requires care and attention, a series of restorative and supportive activities in a family atmosphere, in cozy 2-3 bed rooms on the Adriatic coast,” the organizers of the Ukrainian Center in Durres report.
“Family breakfasts and dinners of Ukrainian and Mediterranean cuisine – healthy, tasty and homemade – will be a great addition to the vacation. The hosts cook themselves, with love for their guests and care for the quality of the products. Albanian products are always fresh, natural, and cheap. Given the rising prices in Ukraine and Europe, an Albanian check will make everyone happy,” say the organizers of the Ukrainian Center in Durres.
“In ancient times, Durres, one of the oldest cities in Albania, was one of the world’s centers of worship for the goddess Aphrodite (Venus). Pilgrims from all over the world came here and made offerings to her asking for beauty, love, prosperity and health. These ancient energies still impregnate the city streets, coasts and mountains, which are literally bathed in the light and strong emanations of Aphrodite… Therefore, the Center has created separate caring programs for women. With the help of rehabilitation specialists from all spheres – physical, psycho-emotional and spiritual – 7-day express courses are held here, which include physical and psycho-emotional therapy, anti-stress cosmetology (on request) and art therapy,” the organizers of the Ukrainian Center in Durres emphasize.
These practices, in particular, include visits to places of power, yoga and qigong classes, drawing and dancing, singing and adding to oneself, and elements of vipassana: “The Center’s calendar of meetings and events includes master classes by well-known yoga masters, sound healing, vocal, and meditation. Concerts by Ukrainian musicians are also planned. The retreat center is already bustling with life, and all of our guests who come here will definitely stop by to say hello, have dinner and hang out with friends.”
Couples from Ukraine and other countries, as well as women, are welcome here from July to October.
The Ukrainian Center in Durres also accepts applications for all kinds of tasks that Ukrainians have: from renting, selling and operating an apartment to finding the right doctor, specialist, car, etc.
“We will help you feel at home! We hope that in the future many of our citizens will come to Albania who need to have their own, Ukrainian, not only at home but also in a foreign country,” emphasize the organizers of the Ukrainian Center in Durres.
