Podujeva, September 13, 2025
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Mayor of the Municipality of Podujeva, Shpejtim Bulliqi, paid homage and laid fresh flowers in memory and honor of the martyrs Skënder Monolli and Besim Latifi, on the 35th anniversary of their fall.
“They were young, but with great vision and courage. They were educated and aware of the immense injustice suffered by our people. Skënder and Besim never reconciled with bondage, and therefore they chose to sacrifice their lives for the liberation of Kosovo,” said Prime Minister Kurti.
He further stated that their fall in 1990 became an inspiration for many young men and women who joined the path of resistance and later the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
And today, 35 years after their fall, Prime Minister Kurti said that the Republic of Kosovo is free and independent, and that we owe a debt to them, to their families, and to all the martyrs of the nation.
“Our greatest debt is to govern with justice, with responsibility and with care toward the citizens, by making our country more developed, more equal and stronger,” said Prime Minister Kurti, while expressing the deepest gratitude on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to the Monolli and Latifi families.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honored families of the heroes Skënder Monolli and Besim Latifi,
Honored Mayor of the Municipality of Podujeva, Shpejtim Bulliqi,
Honored families of martyrs, invalids and veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army,
Honored professors, Hakif Bajrami and Mazllum Baraliu,
Honorable Mr. Adnan Merovci,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Brothers and sisters,
Honored attendees,
We have gathered here, in Pollatë, to honor two distinguished sons of this land, Skënder Monolli and Besim Latifi, who 35 years ago fell as martyrs, sealing with their blood the path of our freedom.
They were young, but with great vision and courage. They were educated and aware of the immense injustice suffered by our people. Skënder and Besim never reconciled with bondage, and therefore they chose to sacrifice their lives for the liberation of Kosovo.
Their fall in 1990 became an inspiration for many young men and women, who joined the path of resistance and later the ranks of the KLA. They were the forerunners of our Liberation Army, a clear signal that the younger generation would never accept the oppression and violence of the Serbian regime.
Today, 35 years after their fall, the Republic of Kosovo is free and independent. We are indebted to them, to their families and to all the martyrs of the nation. Our greatest debt is to govern with justice, with responsibility and with care for the citizens, by making our country more developed, more equal and stronger.
Honored Monolli and Latifi families,
I express my deepest gratitude on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. The sacrifice of your sons is the foundation of our state that we cherish. You have given what is most precious — the lives of your children — so that we may be free today.
Skënder was only 33 years old, while Besim was 22. And now we are 35 years away from their heroic fall, but it remains fresh because the martyrs of the nation are always present for the people, the state and society at large. Together, we have the duty to preserve the memory of these selfless heroes and to pass it on to the younger generations and those to come after us. Because freedom is not a gift, but a legacy.
Eternal glory to Skënder Monolli and Besim Latifi!
Glory to all the martyrs of the Albanian nation!
