Once a large community, the Albanian minority has a long history in Romania . It was first documented when Mihai Viteazu -a Romanian king, late 16 th century-brought 15 000 albanians with their families. Coming from the Balkans, they first in the south of the country, but in time many Albanian families migrated to other parts of the country. In the past, they had their own organizations and publications-Drita (The Light), Diturija (The Wisdom), Bashkimi (The Unity)-, worked here for Albania `s independence, and supported it morally and materially. Romania has encouraged and supported these activities. The relationship between the two people -considered sisters- and the two states are very good.
The Albanians League from Romania (ALAR), founded in 1999 in Craiova , member of the National Minorities Board from Romania , is the organization that represents the Albanians from Romania in the Romanian Parliament. The ALAR activities include publishing books and magazines, celebrating Albanian personalities from Romania and Albanian Diaspora, Albanian language camps, art exhibitions, science conferences, ALAR member meetings, etc. The Albanian`s Friend magazine ( Miku I Shqiptarit ), following the example of the more than thirty Albanian newspapers and magazines that were published in Romania between the end of the nineteenth century and WWII, brings fresh information about history, literature, and art, information about the Albanian community in Romania, about the Albanian Diaspora abroad, about the Romanian and the Albanians that live in Albania.
The Serenada performing group has participated in many editions of the ProEtnica Festival and is made up of an instrumental and singing group, and also a dance group. Serenada has managed in a short time to revive the famous Albanian songs and dances, regardless of the region they came from. The Serenada performing group was founded with the belief that folk music, poetry, and choreography brings us closer, helps us to know each other better, to understand each other and be more united, without loosing our cultural and historical identity.