Gjilan, 11 January, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku and accompanied by the Mayor of the Municipality of Gjilan, Alban Hyseni, visited the families of the martyrs, Rexhep Mala and Nuhi Berisha, on the occasion of the 40th the anniversary of their heroic fall.
Prime Minister Kurti started his visit to Gjilan at the house of the family of Rexhep Malaj, then stayed at the house of the family of Nuhi Berisha, to continue to the old house of Rexhep Malaj, which by the decision of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hajrulla Çeku from today entered the category of cultural heritage monuments and that in cooperation with the Municipality of Gjilan and the Malay family will be transformed into a museum.
In the 20th century, the Liberation Movement was a very important expression of popular culture in Kosovo, and the illegal organization was the infrastructure of the people’s will for freedom and unity. Therefore, we also show our care for this cultural heritage which continues to inspire us, but at the same time also fills us with responsibility for the work and tasks that we always do in the spirit of the ideals of the nation’s heroes and martyrs”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
During the visit to the Mala and Berisha families, Prime Minister Kurti, recalling the patriotic activity of the two martyrs, said that those who knew them worked together with them, but at the same time with other activists who did not know them, are inspired and inspired by them.
“At the end of the visit, the Prime Minister encouraged those present to read the book “Stand”, which contains memories from the prison in which Rexhep Mala was, because according to him, his ideals and sufferings which were in the service of the people and the generations that come after them.
Tonight in Pristina, at the National Library, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo organizes a commemorative academy for the 40th anniversary of the death of Nuhi Berisha and Rexhep Mala, in which Prime Minister Kurti also participates.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete statement:
We are here in the backyard of Rexhep Mala, which will be a protected cultural heritage asset that will be turned into a museum. In the 20th century, the Liberation Movement was a very important expression of popular culture in Kosovo, and the illegal organization was the infrastructure of the people’s will for freedom and unity.
Therefore, we also show our care for this cultural heritage which continues to inspire us, but at the same time fills us with responsibility for the work and tasks that we always do in the spirit of the ideals of the nation’s heroes and martyrs.
Today is the 40th anniversary of the heroic fall of Rexhep Mala and Nuhi Berisha, that’s why we came to visit these two families, along with others who knew and worked with Rexhep and Nuhi, but at the same time also with other activists who have not known them, but are inspired by them.
Several illegal bases have been in this backyard and they have enabled the organization of hundreds and later thousands of activists who have given everything for the Republic of Kosovo and for national unity.
On the other hand, it is important to have a special base at the threshold of the courtyard doors, which Rexhep Mala built after he got out of prison, with his sharp mind calculating that even when the occupying enemy police forces will ‘they break the doors of the yard they will enter so quickly that they will not look at the threshold, and the threshold of the house is wisely and rightly thought of by him as a safe place for the base of the illegal organization. I believe that we all owe Rexhep Mala and Nuhi Berisha so much for their endurance, for their organization and for their sacrifice.
Meanwhile, you who are younger, I encourage you to read “Cëndresa”, memories from the prison of Rexhep Mala, because his ideals are authentically described, but at the same time his sufferings, for the ideals of to him who have been in our service, that is, to all the people and the generations that are coming after him.
Glory to Rexhep Mala and Nuhi Berisha!
Last modified: January 12, 2024