Prishtina, March 17, 2025
On the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the establishment of the Archives of Kosovo, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku, participated in the opening of the “Open Archives Week” activity, held at the State Archives Agency of Kosovo.
In his speech, Prime Minister Kurti called the archives the guardians of the documentary heritage, which is a fundamental testament of our culture and historical memory, which must be transmitted to future generations in the best possible condition.
“The state archival system, headed by the State Archives Agency, although officially part of the Ministry of Culture, as a government, we have treated with the attention it deserves, that is, as a sector of national importance. And today, I am very pleased that together we can talk about the tangible results of this treatment and this state attention”, said the Prime Minister.
Discussing the achievements so far during the full 4-year mandate, he mentioned six areas in which interventions and investments have been made, including legal reform, such as the adoption of the new law on archives and the drafting and adoption of eight sub-legal acts; the long-term state strategy for the development of archives 2025-2031; improving working conditions for staff and conditions for the preservation of archival material; the massive digitization of archival material; the launch of the electronic system for the management of archival material; as well as the new organizational structure and increased professional capacities.
The Prime Minister also highlighted two other important moments; the delivery of archival material from municipalities in the north of the country to Prishtina, placing it under legal control; and the agreement with the Kosovo Post, which facilitates citizens’ access to archival material for social and legal needs.
In this next edition of the “Open Archives Week”, on behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister highlighted the fact that, like the network of cultural and heritage institutions, archives have been given the attention and dignity they deserve, through comprehensive investments.
“Our government’s support will not only continue, but will also increase, because culture, our heritage and archives in this regard are the foundations on which we maintain our identity and sustainability as a nation and as a state, as an organized, democratic, European and sustainable society”, concluded Prime Minister Kurti.
He thanked and congratulated everyone for the work and results achieved so far.
Following the speeches, the Electronic System for Archival Material Management was also presented, which was launched today and which will create easy access to digitized archival material from abroad, as well as facilitate the internal systematization of this material, in line with technological trends.
Full speech by Prime Minister Kurti:
“Open Archives Week” brought us together today; it is good that we are meeting each other in this space of discussion and reflection on the good work in the field of state archives and the challenges ahead in further consolidating the archival system for the preservation of our documentary heritage.
Honorable Mr. Hajrulla Çeku, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports,
Honorable Mr. Bislim Bislimi, Acting Director of the State Archives Agency,
Honorable Ms. Blerina Rogova Gaxha, Director of the National Library of Kosovo,
Honorable Ms. Vjollca Aliu, Director of the National Museum of Kosovo,
Honorable Mr. Atdhe Hetemi, Director of the Institute for Documentation of Crimes Committed during the War in Kosovo,
Dear professional employees, professors and students, researchers and representatives of state institutions, media workers, citizens present,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Archives are guardians of documentary heritage. This type of heritage is a fundamental testament to our culture and historical memory that must be transmitted to future generations in the best possible condition. Archives are the centers that bear the responsibility for the treatment, preservation and promotion of the documentary heritage of a state and people.
The state archival system, headed by the State Archives Agency, although officially part of the Ministry of Culture, as a government we have treated with the attention it deserves, that is, as a sector of national importance. And today, I am very pleased that together we can talk about the tangible results of this treatment and of this joint state attention. I am very aware that these achievements are the result of the work, contribution and dedication of the people who work in the state archive system, an army of professionals together with those who have managerial duties and all those who at different times but with will, readiness and interest, contributed to this achievement that we are celebrating together. Therefore, congratulating and thanking you for the good work over the past years, I invite you to increase the dynamics of the work even more together.
During our governing mandate, which in a few days will complete four years, the commitment and service to the country and the citizens are in at least six areas of our interventions and investments in the state archive system.
First, we have adopted a new law on archives that sets the world standard for the organization of the state archival system in Kosovo. After the entry into force of the new law, eight by-laws have been drafted and approved that make this extremely important law fully applicable, thus concluding the legal reform in the field of archives.
Second, Kosovo has adopted a long-term state strategy for the development of archives, clearly defining our state vision for the archival system for the period 2025-2031, but also beyond.
Third, we have seen a significant improvement in the working conditions for staff and the conditions for the storage of archival material everywhere. Only in recent years have conditions improved, and in some cases, work continues, such as at the buildings of the archival system in Prishtina, Peja, Gjakova, Mitrovica and Prizren. For the Inter-Municipal Archive of Ferizaj, we have secured suitable space in a heritage asset that is undergoing restoration this year, while in Gjilan we have progressed in the procedure for the new and modern building.
Fourth, the massive digitization of archival material has reached numbers that were unimaginable a few years ago. With the massive digitization project, 2.5 million archival documents were digitized in 2024, while for comparison, in the previous 15 years just over 1 million archival documents were digitized. Soon, we will reach the total of five million digitized documents, which is a clear proof of the seriousness and our shared commitment.
Fifth, we are happy that today, the electronic system for managing archival material is being launched. Keeping up with technological trends, this system will create easy access to digitized archival material from abroad, as well as facilitate the internal systematization of this material.
Sixth, the State Archives Agency has a new organizational structure and increased professional capacities. Meanwhile, professional and patriotic meritocracy should always be fundamental criteria for all those who want to become part of the state archival system of the Republic of Kosovo.
Since there were six interventions, let us summarize them once again, of course, very briefly: 1) Law, 2) Strategy, 3) Working conditions, 4) Mass digitization, 5) Electronic access and management of archival material, and 6) New structure with more professionals.
There are two more moments that make us particularly proud. The first, the delivery of archival material from municipalities in the north of the country to Prishtina, i.e., the capital of the Republic, placing it under legal control; and, second, the agreement with the Kosovo Post that facilitates citizens’ access to archival material for social and legal needs.
So, in this next edition of the “Open Archives Week”, on behalf of our government, we find the opportunity to emphasize the fact that, like the network of cultural and heritage institutions, libraries, museums, theaters, cinemas, professional and scientific institutes, we have also returned to the archives the attention and dignity they deserve, because we have returned to them comprehensive investments, not only in infrastructure, which will transform these institutions, putting them at the service of the sustainable development of society, the state and the nation in general.
The support of our government will not only continue, but will also increase because our culture, our heritage and the archives in this regard are the foundations on which we maintain our identity and sustainability as a nation and as a state, as an organized, democratic, European and sustainable society.
I wish you a great week. I commend you for your work and, both for myself and for the government, I look forward to even greater contributions.
Thank you for your participation, contribution and attention.
Last modified: March 18, 2025