FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Today, on the marked Day of the Albanian Language Alphabet, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Bajram Begaj, commemorated the Congress of Manastir, which, with the historic act of 1908, gave the nation unity through the unified letters of the native language.
During a speech at the University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi", President Begaj emphasized the importance of the Albanian language across generations, the sacrifices of patriots and the contribution of scholars to preserving and enriching the spirit of the nation.
"Language is the sign of nationality, it is the soul of a nation. It holds the memory, customs, songs, legends, our way of thinking and feeling. Our Albanian language is one of the oldest languages in Europe, which has survived invasions, prohibitions and attempts to eradicate it. No foreign power could erase it, because it lived in the hearts of people, in the words of mothers, in the songs of the brave, in the stories of the wise. Albanian has kept us alive as a nation when we had no state, when we had no army or defined borders. Therefore, preserving and developing the Albanian language is a patriotic act as important as defending the homeland."
In the context of the introduction of new words as a result of technological momentum, the Head of State emphasized the enrichment of the language and its transmission to children, especially those of the Diaspora.
"Every language, but especially those spoken by a smaller number of compatriots, such as Albanian, are nowadays at risk, on the one hand from the influence of international languages, and, on the other hand, from the deformations that occur in digital communication. I believe that the esteemed professors of this university know better than anyone that those who do not speak their own language well will always be limited in learning other languages. Those who want to speak a foreign language well must start by learning their mother tongue well and with love," emphasized the President of the Republic.
The Head of State honored the historical figures of the Congress of Manastir, and alongside them the contribution of later patriots and researchers. Referring to Shkodra activists, President Begaj praised the figure of Luigj Gurakuqi, whose name the University of Shkodra bears, where Alphabet Day was celebrated, as well as the studies and efforts of the researcher of the history of Albanology, Jup Kastrati, the researcher of the alphabet, Tomor Osmani, and the work of the linguist Bahri Beci.
At the end of the speech, the Head of State conveyed this message along with congratulations on Alphabet Day.
"Today, we have everything they dreamed of: we have Albania, we have Kosovo, we have Albanian education, Albanian media, Albanian technology. But we also have a moral obligation: to preserve, protect and further develop this sacred heritage: our language, as the most vivid sign of Albanian identity."
One language, one Albanian, one legacy.
Without language, there is no nation!
There can be no Albanian without the Albanian language, without the Albanian letters. For Albanian schools,
The Manastir Congress teaches us that unity is the force that gives meaning to every national effort. May we be today as we were then, a nation that looks ahead, that honors its roots, and that believes in the power of language, knowledge, and unity.
I would like to close my speech with a special, very big thank you to all Albanians, the old and new Diaspora, wherever they are, the Arbëresh of Italy, the Arbëresh of Zara in Croatia or the Arbëresh of Mandrica in Bulgaria and all the associations, teachers, language researchers, who, with great dedication and love, work every day and tirelessly to promote, preserve and inherit this wonderful language of our identity.
Happy Albanian Language Alphabet Day forever!
During his visit to Shkodra to celebrate Alphabet Day, the President of the Republic was received by Mayor Benet Beci. The Head of State held meetings with Albanian scholars, visited the library of the “Luigj Gurakuqi” university, as well as the “Place of Testimony and Memory” museum.
Lini një Përgjigje