Vushtrri, 15 August 2022
In honour and commemoration of the late Arbën Xhaferi, the commemorative event “Life and Works of Arbën Xhaferi” was organized in Vushtrri by the ‘Arbën Xhaferi’ Summer Academy.
The speech read by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti:
Dear Xhaferi family,
Dear Mayor of the Municipality of Vushtrri, Mr Ferit Idrizi,
Dear Mayor of the Municipality of Gjilan, Mr Alban Hyseni,
Dear Mayor of the Municipality of Gostivar, Mr Arben Taravari,
Dear representatives of Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Presheva, Medvegja and Bujanoc,
Dear participants of the “Arbën Xhaferi” summer academy,
Dear attendees, ladies and gentlemen,
Congratulations for this manifestation about the life and works of Arbën Xhaferi.
His works are much bigger than his life. And the journey of these works continues, even through this summer academy.
I remember that Arbën Xhaferi liked a quote by Umberto Eco, about politics as a thought in motion. As you are walking, said Arbën laughing, they put a microphone in front of you and you must speak.
And now these good words are said in front of this microphone in an academy that keeps the thought of Arbën Xhafer in motion. If many national and international authors emphasized the role of ideas and skills in politics, Arbën Xhaferi emphasized the importance of thinking. For Arbën Xhaferi, the thought is the way and the way is the thought.
It is no coincidence that a very important street is named “Arbën Xhaferi”. His name is put on a street that we should cross more often. We can do this every day. Working on his dream, and making the memory of his extraordinary thought common. His memory lives long when we engage, work and do a lot. And, especially when we think a lot, who will see when we walk long.
Arbën Xhaferi was a powerful politician, who loved our nation dearly. Even the word politician is insufficient to define him, as he was more than a politician. He was a mind that produced much knowledge in politics. An activist with boundless passion for the national cause, never abandoning universal principles and human values.
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
“A man without a nation is nothing, and a nation without future generations disappears.” I can’t help but remember this statement of Hasan Prishtina, the colossus of Albanian politics, whose name is held by the youth palace where you are today. Therefore, this academy also carries forward the legacy of the ancestors, which is to work for the youth.
Among the young people, we are remembering Arbën Xhaferi, on the 10th anniversary of his death. We have an obligation to remember the man who thought so much of all of us. Let’s remember him by learning about him and reading him in his powerful texts.
His work is an inspiration to us and the generations that will come after us. Therefore, it is a special pleasure that during this week, precisely during the Youth Month, Kosovo is welcoming young people from North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Presheva, Medvegja and Bujanoc. It is uniting them around the name of Arbën Xhaferi.
May his memory be eternal!
Thank you.
Last modified: August 16, 2022