Prishtina, 20 March, 2024
United to remember the activity of the intellectual and hero, Selim Berisha, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the Memorial Academy in the presence of the Berisha family, as well as the disabled, veterans and families of the martyrs of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
“Albanian professor of history in front of the enemy police of Serbia”, is the epithet with which Prime Minister Kurti praised the hero Selim Berisha, mentioning in front of those present his inspiration and bravery, values with which he had mercy on the historical narrations and explanations in front of the students.
In the year which marks the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kosovo, the prime minister emphasized that this period of time will be followed by commemorations for many martyrs and martyrs who fell in battles, as well as civilian victims killed during the last war in Kosovo in 1999, including and this academy today in honor of the martyr, Selim Berisha.
“Until today, the martyr Selim Berisha has been recognized for all his merits and has been awarded all the recognitions and titles from society and the state: from that of “Martyr of the Nation” in 2017 to the “Hero of Kosovo” order in 2019 “, said the Prime Minister.
Furthermore, he said that the history and contribution of Professor Berisha have always been carried forward by the national spirit, until March 20, 1999 when he was positioned and armed on the second floor of his house, waiting for the policemen to approach and shooting and standing with as much ammunition as he had, until he was martyred as a history professor and educator of generations, and as a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
As part of the commemorative activities, a monographic book was also promoted, which summarizes many newspaper articles, biographical profiles, facsimiles of documents and various photographs collected and curated by the author Zymer Mehani, entitled “Martyr Selim Berisha: Professor who inspired generations”.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Berisha family,
Dear friends and comrades of the martyr Selim Berisha,
Dear invalids and veterans and families of the martyrs of the Kosovo Liberation Army,
Dear professors and academics,
Dear students,
Dear scientific employees of the Institute of Albanology in Pristina,
Ladies and gentlemen, sisters and brothers, distinguished guests,
This year, as we approach the month of June, when it marks a quarter of a century since Kosovo was liberated from the occupying and conquering Serbia, we are in a year when many martyrs and martyrs will be commemorated on their 25th anniversary: fighters fallen in battles and victims civilians killed during the war, during the year 1999, the spring of great human tragedies and the popular liberation of Kosovo. The 25th anniversary of the liberation of our country will be marked in the middle of this year, so it is the anniversary of a period that has created enough time to reflect on what happened to the country and to our people during the last war. With this feeling of reflection, I received your invitation to join this memorial academy on the 25th anniversary of the fall of the martyr, Professor Selim Berisha.
Until today, the martyr Selim Berisha has been recognized for all his merits and has been awarded all the recognitions and titles from society and the state: from that of “Martyr of the Nation” in 2017 to the “Hero of Kosovo” order in 2019. I am glad to understand that this year, on the 25th anniversary of the fall of Selim Berisha, many newspaper articles, biographical profiles, facsimiles of documents and various photographs have been collected and curated by author Zymer Mehani, in the book “Martyr Selim Berisha: Professor who inspired generations (Communication and material from the daily press)”. I have read the story of the martyr Selim Berisha in the press articles, but I have also heard it from friends who wanted to have him as a professor and colleague at the “Ali Kelmendi” school in Barileva, and who told me that Professor Selim always explained the subject of history in a national spirit. And not only did he explain it, but he also believed that narrative of history from which he was inspired and emboldened, so that every time the Serbian police came to the school, he came out first in front of them and in defense of the students. The Albanian professor of history in front of the enemy police of Serbia.
Apparently, this spirit and conviction carried Professor Selim until the day of March 20, 1999, when he refused to give up his house in Drenovc: he resisted with weapons until he was martyred. That day, when the police units of Serbia were evicting the inhabitants of the villages of Drenovc, Barilevë, Prugovc and the surrounding area, Selim Berisha asked his family members to leave, while he himself stayed at home determined to resist. Positioning himself armed on the second floor of his house, he waited for the police to approach and then fired and stood with as much ammunition as he had. Selim Berisha was martyred as a history professor and educator of generations and as a member, indomitable fighter of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
Glory to Professor Selim Berisha and all the martyrs and martyrs of the nation who fell for the freedom of Kosovo.
Thank you.
Last modified: March 21, 2024