Prishtina, 5 April, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the opening of the Mini library for the Roma community, as part of the activities to mark the International Day of the Roma Community, a ceremony that was organized by the Office for Good Governance of the Prime Minister’s Office in cooperation with Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians.
This Mini-library, which is located in the Government building, holds 20 titles with a total of 90 books and will be used for reading by pupils, students, teachers’ children, but also activists and other citizens.
Prime Minister Kurti said that he is happy that the Romani language has been recognized as an official language in the Municipality of Prizren, the same as it has the same status in the Municipality of Graçanica.
“So, two of only three municipalities in the world that have this wealth. Of the three municipalities in the world, two are in the Republic of Kosovo”, said the Prime Minister.
He emphasized that the Government of Kosovo has provided aid of 200,000 euros to educational centers in Kosovo, for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children during the year. Furthermore, the Prime Minister said that help has also been given to Roma students who are in public universities and who are studying to become teachers after graduation.
On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights, Emilija Redžepi, the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Arbërie Nagavci, Deputy of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Erxhan Galushi, director of the Office for Good Governance in the Office of the Prime Minister, Habit Hajredini, director of the non-governmental organization Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, Isak Skenderi and teacher Urma Menekshe.
In addition to the institutional support, it was also said that this is a good step that will serve in the future to advance the rights of this community as well as to promote the Roma language and culture.
Prime Minister Kurti’s speech at the inauguration of the Minilibrary for the Roma community:
Thank you very much dear Mr. Hajredini,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister Mrs. Emilija Redžepi,
Dear Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Arbërie Nagavci,
The honorable deputy of the Assembly of the Republic, Mr. Erxhan Galushi,
Honorable Deputy Minister, Sylejman Elshani,
Dear Elizabeth and Nurije,
The honorable director of the non-governmental organization Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, Mr. Isak Skenderi,
And dear teacher Urma Menekshe,
Dear colleagues from the Roma community,
Exactly one year ago, I visited Prizren and the newly opened Roma mini-library with funds from the Ministry of Culture. There we talked about the importance of the Roma mother tongue and in particular a language which is spoken around the globe by more than 3 and a half million people.
During this year, which has passed since our last meeting, I am happy that the Romani language has been recognized as an official language in the Municipality of Prizren, the same as it has the same status in the Municipality of Graçanica. So, two of only three municipalities in the world that have this wealth. Of the three municipalities in the world, two are in the Republic of Kosovo.
Also, I am happy that the number of children in Kosovo who can read these books is increasing.
Through the teaching in the Romani language, which the teachers are offering, as are some of you here in this room, but also through the aid of 200 thousand euros from the Government, which was given to educational centers in Kosovo for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children during the year.
We have also helped shape future readers in the support given to Roma students who are in public universities and who are studying to become teachers after graduation.
For good students, we must commit to having good teachers.
I love libraries and I agree with what Einstein said that, “the only thing that is inevitable to know is the location of the library”. So indeterminacy prevails, but where the library is, one must know, others are relative, but not the location of the library.
Already the dedication of teacher Urma and with the fund from VoRAE and with the support of director Habit Hajredini.
The Roma mini-library is not only in Prizren, but also here in the building of our Government, on the 6th floor, where we gathered together.
I hope that these books will be used to read by pupils, students, teachers’ children, but also activists and other citizens.
I think that reading them is the best way to mark the International Roma Day, i.e. April 8, which is celebrated this week.
Once again, Happy Roma Day!
Bahtalo Romano Dive!
Last modified: April 6, 2023