Meloni-Themed Restaurant Opens Amidst Asylum Controversy

In the northern Albanian port city of Shengjin, Gjergj Luca has opened the 'Trattoria Meloni', a restaurant adorned with 70 portraits of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Located steps away from a newly set-up asylum camp, the venue showcases the intersection of cuisine, art, and politics.

Luca, a former actor and son of a renowned Albanian performer, expresses admiration for Meloni's strong personality. The portraits were crafted by artist Heliton Haliti, who finds Meloni fascinating despite differing political views.

The surrounding asylum camps, established through Italian-Albanian cooperation, have drawn criticism from Amnesty International for potentially detaining migrants indefinitely. This arrangement splits rescued migrants between Italy and Albania, with women and children heading to Italy while up to 3000 men remain in Albania.