FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Albanians around the world celebrate today the 113th anniversary of the declaration of independence.
On the occasion of this special day, Prime Minister Edi Rama published a congratulatory message to all Albanians on his social network Facebook.
"GOOD MORNING and Happy Independence Day," the prime minister wrote on Facebook, while sharing a photo from the Mother Albania memorial.
The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has also congratulated Albanian citizens everywhere with a message on Flag Day, recalling the role that November 28 has had over the centuries in shaping the Albanian nation.
In his congratulations, Kurti emphasized that few nations in the world have their fates so closely tied to a date as Albanians do to November 28. He described this date as a “historical accident” of 1443, which, repeated at key moments in national history, has become a sacred symbol of the Albanian calendar.
Kurti recalled the raising of the Kastriot flag at the Kruja Castle in 1443, an act that marked the beginning of the Albanians' historic journey towards freedom.
"There is no other nation in the world whose fate is so inextricably intertwined with a specific date as the date November 28 is intertwined with the fate of our nation. This 28th day of the eleventh month was truly a historical accident of the year 1443, but such an accident, repeated so persistently throughout history, inevitably returned and became a sacred sign of our national calendar. On this date, over the Kruja Castle, the red and black flag of the Kastriots was raised, which returned and became our national flag. Thus began the journey of our Novembers that came and were linked like links in an indissoluble chain, marking not only the calendar date, but also the path of our freedom.
After many centuries, on November 28, 1912, this flag was raised again in Vlora of Labëria, when the independence of today's Administrative Albania was proclaimed. This was our Second November. In this proclamation, part of Sami Frashëri's ambitious project was realized, which had foreseen an Albania within the approximate borders of the four vilayets. He clearly emphasized that "the sole purpose of the Albanians is to keep Albania from being torn apart by foreigners, to maintain their language and nationality". But this, unfortunately, was only partially achieved at that time. Moreover, in his memoirs, on the first anniversary of independence, in 1913, Luigj Gurakuqi stated that "in the life of nations, as well as in the lives of people, unexpected events sometimes occur, which disrupt the course of affairs and cause some events that were neither expected nor hoped to occur.
"That was what happened in 1912, a time filled with misery and suffering, but which, amidst the turmoil and unknown evils, had also brought something unexpected and priceless, namely the freedom, unity and independence of the Homeland!"
However, the story of our Novembers does not end here. On this same date, in 1955, in the Jashari towers in Prekaz, the Commander-in-Chief of the KLA, Adem Jashari, was born, the man who would lead the fight for Kosovo's freedom. Also, on November 28, 1997, the KLA, for the first time, came out publicly to let the world know that this people was ready to make any sacrifice and would never give up the fight for freedom. All these efforts, wars and sacrifices of Albanian patriots throughout the centuries have been crowned today with independent Albania and independent Kosovo.
Of course, as a European nation, we have our eyes turned towards the future, towards a Third November, which must come through our efforts, our work and our continuous dedication. This Third November, even if it does not fall on this day, even if it does not fall in the month of November, we can baptize it today as our Third November 28. Then the legacy of all Albanian patriots, living and dead, will be fulfilled. We wish that this day comes as soon as possible!
"Albanian brothers and sisters, wherever you are, among your families and friends, on this day of joy and celebration:
Enjoy November 28, Flag Day," Kurti writes in his greeting.
He pra ju hengsha zemrat keshtu duhet, Atdheu mbi te gjitha.