Prizren, 23 April 2025
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Acting Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Rexhepi and the Acting Minister of Regional Development, Fikrim Damka, this evening participated in the event organized on the occasion of the celebration of the National Day of the Kosovo Turks.
“The Turkish community in Kosovo is an integral part of our social mosaic and constitutes a living treasure of our shared historical and cultural heritage,” stated the Prime Minister.
While expressing his gratitude and appreciation for the continuous contribution of Turkish citizens given to the Republic of Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti said that the political representatives of the Turkish community, through work and engagement, responsibility and integrity, contribute every day to the strengthening of our democratic institutions. “Their role is a testament to the commitment of the Turkish community to statehood, development and coexistence among all communities in our country,” he added.
As a strong ally and steadfast supporter of the Republic of Kosovo, the Prime Minister emphasized that Turkey stands alongside not only the Turkish community in Kosovo but also alongside all communities and the state of Kosovo itself, contributing to the friendship, development and long-term cooperation between our two countries.
In his speech, he mentioned distinguished figures who have contributed to the preservation and enrichment of the Turkish identity in our country, starting from Sylejman Brina – an intellectual and one of the founders of the Cultural-Artistic Association “Dogru Yol,” to the singer Alush Nush, who through his songs in Prizren Turkish has given and continues to give voice and emotion to the collective memory of generations, and then he mentioned the work of the internationally renowned Turkologist Prof. Dr. Nimetullah Hafez. He also highlighted artists, writers and publicists such as Sevim Baki, Arif Bozaxhi, Zejnel Beksaç, Osman Bajmak, Ethem Bajmak, Hasan Merxhan, and many others who, for generations, have enriched cultural life and have been supporters of coexistence and cooperation between Albanians, Turks and other communities together in Kosovo.
“The heritage built by the Turkish community over the centuries in Kosovo, together with that built by the Albanian community in Turkey, constitutes a shared cultural wealth and a strong foundation for building a sustainable future in both our countries – where the relations between Kosovo and Turkey will not only be preserved but will be deepened further in the spirit of friendship and respect, as well as expanded even further through strategic cooperation,” concluded the Prime Minister.
While congratulating the Turkish community for this important celebration for them, he recalled that this day, 23 April, is also a date of special importance for the Republic of Turkey – because it is the Day of the Establishment of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey in 1920, which is commemorated as National Sovereignty Day and Children’s Day.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Emilija Rexhepi,
Honorable Minister of Regional Development and Chair of the KDTP, Mr. Fikrim Damka,
Honorable Members of the Assembly of the Republic, Mr. Enis Kervan, Ms. Fidan Jilta, Mr. Albert Kinolli, Mr. Rasim Demiri, Mr. Artan Asllani,
Honorable Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Kosovo, Mr. Sabri Tunc Angili,
Honorable Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Celal Dogan,
Honorable Yağmur Güldere, Director General of the Department for the Balkans in Turkey, and other guests from the Republic of Turkey who have joined us today in Prizren,
Honorable representatives of institutions, honorable representatives of the Turkish community in Kosovo,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Sisters and brothers,
The Turkish community in Kosovo is an integral part of our social mosaic and constitutes a living treasure of our shared historical and cultural heritage.
With its rich identity, its distinguished personalities and its cultural activities that resonate beyond the borders of Kosovo – in Turkey and beyond – this community remains a precious and irreplaceable value for our state and society.
Today, on 23 April, we have gathered to commemorate and honor the National Day of the Kosovo Turks – a day that marks and recognizes the extraordinary contribution of a community that has given greatly to the democratic, cultural and institutional development of the Republic of Kosovo.
Through continuous engagement in fields such as education, culture, sports and public life, the Turkish community has contributed significantly to the building of a democratic and inclusive Kosovo. Above all, the coexistence between Albanians and Turks is an inspiring example of lasting friendship, mutual understanding and deep respect that has withstood the test of time.
As the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, I want to sincerely express my gratitude to the political representatives of the Turkish community, who through work and engagement, with responsibility and integrity, contribute every day to the strengthening of our democratic institutions. Their role is a testament to the commitment of the Turkish community to statehood, development and coexistence among all communities in our country.
I also wish to express my deep appreciation to the Republic of Turkey, a strong ally and steadfast supporter of the Republic of Kosovo. Through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Yunus Emre Institute, the Maarif Foundation and Schools, as well as through the continuous engagement of its embassy and consulate, Turkey stands alongside not only the Turkish community in Kosovo but also alongside all communities and the state of Kosovo itself, contributing to the friendship, development and long-term cooperation between our two countries.
This day, 23 April, is also a date of special importance for the Republic of Turkey – it is the Day of the Establishment of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey in 1920, which is commemorated as National Sovereignty Day and Children’s Day. Therefore, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on this magnificent celebration.
Since we are marking an important day for the Turkish community in Kosovo, without forgetting any of the distinguished figures who have contributed to the preservation and enrichment of the Turkish identity in our country, I would like – by being here today in Prizren, the symbolic city of intercultural harmony and historical coexistence – to mention some important personalities of this community.
Among those who have long since left us, such as Sylejman Brina – an intellectual and one of the founders of the Cultural-Artistic Association “Doğru Yol,” to the singer Alush Nush, who through his songs in Prizren Turkish has given and continues to give voice and emotion to the collective memory of generations, and up to the impressive work of the internationally renowned Turkologist Prof. Dr. Nimetullah Hafez.
Likewise, a beloved voice for the public and a worthy ambassador of Turkish culture and song in Kosovo is Sevim Baki, who through her artistic interpretation has created powerful interethnic and cultural bridges in our country, and whom I personally recall from my early childhood.
A special place in this cultural mosaic is also held by the Turkish theater in Kosovo, which, according to official data, began its activity back in the 1930s. This tradition continues to be kept alive thanks to artists such as Nafiz Gjurgjiali, Aziz Bus and the Turkish Theater of Prizren.
Naturally, many writers, publicists and artists are part of this tradition as well, such as Arif Bozaxhi, Zejnel Beksaç, Osman Bajmak, Ethem Bajmak, Hasan Merxhan, and many others who for generations have enriched cultural life and have been supporters of coexistence and cooperation among Albanians, Turks and other communities together in Kosovo.
The heritage built by the Turkish community over the centuries in Kosovo, together with that built by the Albanian community in Turkey, constitutes a shared cultural wealth and a strong foundation for building a sustainable future in both our countries – where the relations between Kosovo and Turkey will not only be preserved but will be deepened further in the spirit of friendship and respect, as well as expanded even further through strategic cooperation.
These are the values that connect Albanians and Turks and others in Kosovo – and also in Turkey – a relationship built on sincerity and mutual trust.
Happy National Day of the Kosovo Turks! Kosova Türkleri Milli Bayramı Kutlu Olsun!
Last modified: April 29, 2025