Kamenica, 22 April, 2023
In Kamenica, the Memorial Academy was held today and the statue of the Hero of Kosovo, Isa Kastrati, was unveiled on the 24th anniversary of his death.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, was invited to participate in these activities organized under the patronage of the Mayor of the Municipality of Kamenica, Kadri Rahimaj, in co-organization with the OVL of the KLA, branch in Kamenica, within the Manifestation “Lulëkuqet e Prillit”.
Unable to be present, Prime Minister Kurti addressed the family members of the martyr Isa Kastrati and other attendees, through a letter, which was read by the spokesperson of the Municipality of Kamenica, Lidiona Marovca.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete letter:
Dear Mayor of the Municipality of Kamenica, Mr. Kadri Rahimaj,
Dear family members of martyr Isa Kastrati,
Dear families of the martyrs and dear veterans and invalids of the KLA war,
Dear attendees, ladies and gentlemen,
Allow me, along with my greetings, to convey my words to you on this 24th anniversary of the martyrdom of Isa Kastrati, right there among you, in the house of culture “Isa Kastrati” in Kamenica, where you have gathered for him remembering the patriotic work of this personality born in your country, important for all parts of our country. I happened to know the martyr Isa Kastrati personally since I was a teenager. However, the last time I saw him was on a day of the killings at the headquarters of the KLA in Prishtina, when he was leaving it, he said to me: “I came to tell Baca Adem that I am going to the front”. He had begun to fight for the liberation of Kosovo from Serbia!
Isa Kastrati had known Adem Demaç very early on, as he had been with his group of political convicts. Isa was convicted and re-sentenced several times, serving over 10 and a half years in prison. Even after his release from prison, in July 1986, he was kept under surveillance by the Serbian Secret Service.
After moving to Pristina, Isa turned his house into space for the Gymnasium “Dr. Ali Sokoli”. During the 90s, he was very engaged in political activities, until he joined the armed groups of the Kosovo Liberation Army. After the outbreak of war in Drenica, Isa organized the Emergency Council in Pristina for the reception of displaced refugees within Kosovo.
Isa Kastrati was killed in fighting with Serbian forces 24 years ago, on April 22, 1999, in Bullaj i Mareci in the Gollaku Highlands. He was martyred together with Afrim Vitina and Sokol Sopin. Remembering the life of this activist for the freedom of his people, accept my highest considerations for this fighter for the liberation of Kosovo. Glory to the patriotic work of the martyr Isa Kastrati and all those who fell for the freedom of Kosovo!
Thank you!
Last modified: April 24, 2023