Prishtina, 6 December, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the Solemn Academy for “Bogdan Days 2023”, which was held at the “BogdaniPolis” Center in Pristina.
Speaking about the work of Pjetër Bogdan, Prime Minister Kurti said that in 1685, Bogdan had published in Padua, Italy, the book “Çeta e profeteve”, already declared as the first original work written in the Albanian language.
Prime Minister Kurti appreciated that the works and life of Pjetër Bogdani attracted the public, from Gjon Nikoll Kazazi to Justin Rrota, Shtjefën Gjeçovi, Faik Konica, Injac Zamputti, Eqrem Çabej, Vili Kamsi, Dhimitër Shuteriqi and Shaban Demiraj, up to Anila Omari, Evalda Paci and Luigj Marlekaj.
“Words about the work and personality of Pjetër Bogdani belong to the competent fields of history, its linguistics. For the rest, it is not enough that the name of Pjetër Bogdani unites us every year on Bogdan Days, as this year to remember Lazër Mjeda, another prominent Albanian Catholic clergyman, who, beyond his work as a clergyman, also carried out many patriotic activities” , said Prime Minister Kurti.
In conclusion, the prime minister wished Bogdan Days, for good health and good, in every action for the public good of our society, for peace and progress and for the Republic of Kosovo.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
The honorable Monsignor Dodë Gjergji, Bishop of the Diocese of Kosovo,
The honorable Mr. Skender Hasani, Director of the Institute for Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of Albanians in Skopje,
The honorable Archbishop from Tivari, Don Zef Gashi,
Ladies and gentleman,
Dear MPs, leaders and representatives of Kosovo’s institutions,
Dear believers, citizens, officials,
Dear attendees,
As the days of December pass and we are approaching the Christmas and New Year celebrations for which preparations have already begun, we have gathered here tonight at the BogdaniPolis Center in Pristina, in this solemn academy for Bogdani Days.
This December 6, it was 334 years since the death of Pjetër Bogdan, the prominent Arab theologian and writer, who died of the plague right here in Pristina. Pjeter Bogdani died at a time when he was printing thousands of local insurgents in the Austro-Ottoman wars at the end of the 17th century. Just four years ago, in 1685, Bogdani had published in Padua, Italy, the book “Ceta e profeteve”, already considered as the first original work written in the Albanian language.
In a report dated January 1, 1684, that Pjetër Bogdani had sent to the Papal Curia in Rome, in which he informed the Holy See about the situation in Kosovo, among other things he wrote, I am quoting: “In Kosovo, there are also these places: Prishtina, which does not have a castle and is not surrounded by walls, but is an inhabited place with about 3000 houses”, the quote ends.
Just like then, today Prishtina does not have a castle and is not surrounded by walls, but 339 years after when Bogdani wrote about it, the number of houses in Pristina is much greater than that in each of its neighborhoods, while Pristina today it is the capital of Kosovo, the capital of our democratic Republic, where Bogdan Days are celebrated every year.
From time to time, the work and life of Pjeter Bogdan, this prominent Catholic clergyman, theologian, philosopher and patriot, has attracted the attention of many researchers. From Gjon Nikoll Kazazi to Justin Rrota, Shtjefën Gjeçovi, Faik Konica, Injac Zamputti, Eqrem Çabej, Vili Kamsi, Dhimitër Shuteriqi and Shaban Demiraj, to Anila Omari, Evalda Paci and Luigj Marlekaj.
The words about the work and personality of Pjetër Bogdan belong to the competent researchers of the relevant fields of history, linguistics and theology. For the rest of us, it is enough that the name of Pjetër Bogdani unites us every year on Bogdan Days, as this year to remember Lazër Mjeda, another prominent Albanian Catholic clergyman, who, beyond his clerical work, also carried out many patriotic activities.
For his patriotic commitment, Lazër Mjeda was persecuted and imprisoned by the Serbian occupying authorities, as he had denounced the crimes of the Serbian army against the Albanian population in Kosovo, during the First Balkan War, with which the Austrian Leo was also served Freundlich, for his valuable work: “Albanian Golgotha”.
Dear attendees, allow me as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, on these Bogdan Days, tonight to wish you good health and good luck, in every effort you make for the public good of our society, for peace and progress and for Republic of Kosovo.
Thank you!
Last modified: December 7, 2023