The Massachusetts Albanian American Society (MAASBESA) and the Bashkimi Dance Group are pleased to announce they are joining together. The Bashkimi Dance group will now operate under the umbrella of MAASBESA much like the Albanian Language and Heritage School. Both organizations are excited about our future cooperation to promote Albanian heritage, and believe that MAASBESA will better serve the Albanian community of Massachusetts with the cultural programs offered by the Bashkimi Dance Group.

MAASBESA was founded in 2006 to promote the well-being and progress of the Albanian-American community of Massachusetts, maintain and develop the Albanian language, culture, and traditions, and to advocate on behalf of the Albanian American community in Massachusetts. One of the first steps in achieving this mission was the creation of the Albanian Language and Heritage School in March 2006. This school offers classes in speaking, reading, and writing of the Albanian language to children of ages 6 to 15, as well as to adults, in order to foster their connection with their culture and native language.

The Bashkimi Dance Group dates back to 1996, when choreographer Bashkim Braho moved to Boston and created the group by recruiting local Albanian students. Thanks to his work and dedication, and the will of the dancers, this group has achieved the high artistic level of a real dance troupe and currently has 13 dancers. The Bashkimi Dance Groups's mission is to promote Albanian heritage and art by performing it in many different Albanian and American venues throughout United States, and it has won many artistic awards at Albanian festivals held in New York and Detroit.

The first step in new joint efforts of MAASBESA and Bashkimi Dance is the new dance program for children of ages 6-14 which began in January 2010. This program is held right after the Albanian School classes at the Saint George Cathedral every Sunday at 12pm. If you are interested in bringing your child to this program please contact us through the contact form.

We thank you for being a part of the Albanian community and we look forward to seeing you at our next event. Currently, there are plans to hold an Albanian Festival in early June at which we hope to attract 700 people. More information will follow once the plans are finalized.