Pristina, February 17, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, took part in the lighting of candles in commemoration and honoring of the children killed during the 1998-1999 war, in Kosovo, an organization within the framework ofthe state agenda of the 15th anniversary of Independence, which was held in front of the National Theater of Kosovo.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Dear children, congratulations Independence of Kosovo, 15th anniversary of February 17,
Here we are together with President Vjosa and with the speaker of the Assembly Glauk, also with Government ministers, in this activity that together with you shows that despite our losses, pains, sufferings, we are together, we win, there is hope for our country and this hope is you children of Kosovo, all the people of our Republic.
You are holding a candle in your hands this evening and we have a total of 1133 candles, because each of these candles represents a child who was killed during the war and is not among us.
Therefore, we remember them and we will never forget them. The sacrifice of our people is great, the wounds of the war are deep. The pain is endless. However, there is no sorrow that cannot overcome your joy and happiness. When we see you, we get so proud and are filled with joy and happiness, today and for the future.
You should learn as much and as well as possible, in the school banks, love your mother and father, the educator and the teachers, love each other, play together, read as much as possible and this is how the president, the speaker of the Assembly and I are a bridge for the future of our country, which you will build even better than ourselves, even better than those who were earlier, but always not forgetting those who contributed, sacrificed themselves and gave their lives so that we can live free, independent and happy.
“Memorial for children killed during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo” will be implemented. The working group is chaired by Saranda Bogujevci, who is the deputy speaker of the Assembly and who survived the massacre of March 28, 1999, when 7 children from the age of 2 to 15 of the Bogujevci family, Duriqi and Llugaliu, were shot in Podujeve by the unit Serbian police “Scorpions”.
Dear children,
Honorable citizens,
We will honor and exalt the memory of the children killed during the war, working without stopping to advance freedom and democracy, education and health, welfare and equality, justice but also protection and security, so that no one in the future will ever dare to touch our children, to touch you.
You are growing together with the Republic of Kosovo. Most of you are younger than the Independence of Kosovo, but I wish you health and success and live a long life like our Republic, like our independence. Forever, ever!
Happy birthday once again to everyone!
Last modified: February 22, 2023