Prishtina, 5 July 2013
Address by Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi in the ceremony organized to mark laying of the foundation of the “Hamëz Jashari” High School in Skënderaj
Honorable uncle Rifat,
Honorable minister, deputy ministers,
Honorable municipal structures in Skënderaj,
Honorable professors, teachers and veterans,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Honorable students,
Allow me to congratulate you on my behalf and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on the launch of construction of these new premises of the high school in Skënderaj. Congratulations to all.
Today, the foundations of the “Hamëz Jashari” High School are being laid in Skënderaj.
While we are laying the foundations of the new building today, I am convinced that we will make the inauguration together with the mayor Lushtaku, whose idea is this project for building of new education premises in Skënderaj.
This is the foundation of a building that bears the name of a glorious man, whose name is personified in the foundations of the freedom of Kosovo.
“Hamëz Jashari” High School will be built here, as an eternal center of knowledge, education, emancipation and cultivation of human and scientific values at the very core of Drenica.
Today, Skënderaj is celebrating
To reach this day of building of temples of education in a free Kosovo, Skënderaj and you honorable citizens had to make history for a century.
A century of dreams for a free state, for a dignified, proud and legitimate life.
And you have achieved this.
We have achieved this together, with hard work, courage and firm commitment to the freedom ideals.
Fifteen years ago, the most heroic resistance of Kosovo for freedom and independence was tested here with the Kosovo Liberation Army’s epopee.
It was the legendary Jashari family members who very sublimely sacrificed themselves in the very dawn of the liberation of Kosovo, by becoming a unique model in the history of the mankind.
It was the veteran teacher, Shaban Jashari, the legendary commander, Adem Jashari, the patriot and intellectual Hamëz Jashari, men and women, young boys and girls, and many children, who shed their blood as foundation of the freedom of Kosovo
Ladies and gentlemen,
The dream for the freedom of Kosovo came true as the ideals of the Jashari family members, and of the noted patriot Hamëz Jashari were shared by all the citizens of Kosovo.
The vision of Kosovo for freedom and independence, the political and military vision of the KLA was supported by all the Albanian territories, and by all the democratic world.
And, Kosovo got finally liberated fourteen years ago, to start a new époque, a historical era of building a democratic state, the époque of freedom, democracy and building of institutional and state order.
Kosovo became an independent and sovereign state, with a clear objective – integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions.
And there is nothing and no one to stop it on its path like there was no stopping of Kosovo towards freedom and independence.
And this objective that is the dream of all the citizens of Kosovo, is the dream of the Kosovo in the 21st century, a dream for which many generations were sacrificed.
This objective becomes a reality based on our determination and commitment to embrace contemporary values of education, science and technological achievements.
The start of the construction of the high school today is the best indicator showing that Kosovo is strongly determined to build education and educative capacities so that the today’s generation of students is competitive with their European and world peers.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Kosovo has overcome the challenge of freedom and independence.
Our third challenge is that of integration in NATO and the EU. We have now consolidated institutions that are working hard to implement this third objective that is the dream of the citizens of Kosovo.
Kosovo, like Skënderaj, has a wonderful youth.
There is a bright perspective and future awaiting this youth.
Schooling, education and professional development are your challenges that are different from the challenges of previous generations.
Therefore, the European Kosovo, the 21st century Kosovo is to be made by these generations embracing global values, and most up-to-date technological and scientific values.
Kosovo is a new state, an open society to knowledge, science and education.
These foundations today are promising, like are your dreams for a free life, emancipation, dignity and happiness.
Congratulations on laying the foundation stone of the “Hamëz Jashari” High Schoo.
Congratulations to all the citizens of Skënderaj. May you enjoy it!
Last modified: July 31, 2022