Prishtina, 22 March, 2024
In his speech dedicated to the loss of Adriana Abdullahu, who was killed by Serbian forces in Prishtina 25 years ago today, the Prime Minister of the Republic, Albin Kurti, at the Memorial Academy organized by the Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with the National Theater of Kosova, remembered her rare talent, unwavering commitment to education and her unparalleled capacity in acting, values which earned her the nickname “Angel of Dodona”.
“Without provocation, without any reason, the art of Kosovo was attacked, our artists were attacked. In the meantime, we tragically lost our Adriana. But not her magic. Adriana’s magic lives among us and continues to inspire us”, said the Prime Minister, emphasizing that time, society, her works, as well as the political leadership of the Republic of Kosovo will not allow her spirit to be extinguished.
Irreplaceable echoes, the prime minister called the unjust killing of Adriana by the war of the aggressor, which was shot on her social and festive occasion, although she and her life will be forever in the place of resistance and the flame lit for life and freedom in our country.
“The new generations must have the opportunity to know good examples, of desire and unconditional love to create even in the most difficult times and in the most dangerous conditions. This is the biggest lesson that Adriana gives us, even after 25 years that she is not physically with us”, he added further.
“May her memory be eternal and forever!” said the prime minister.
On behalf of Adriana’s family, her sister, Drita Abdullahu, spoke, who, after thanking all those who are keeping Adriana’s memory alive with their dedication, said that her loss is a wound that continues to bleed pain.
“With the energy that always characterized her, Adriana told me about the “Dodona” theater, the National Theater, which were under violent measures by the regime, the trips with her colleagues all over the country with their shows,” she said, emphasizing how often she spoke with Adriana on the phone, it always gave her the impression that she was being called from a completely normal place.
In this commemorative academy, Prime Minister Kurti mentioned the fact that the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are constantly and strongly taking care to ensure that our figures of art and culture are honored.
“We will engage in a systematic way so that their work, which is a social contribution, is documented and archived. To commemorate the legacy they left behind, to develop and be accessible to new generations, to those who will come after us”, he said.
This commemorative academy was organized by the Office of the Prime Minister in cooperation with the National Theater of Kosovo. Adriana’s family and close friends, the Minister of Justice,
Albulena Haxhiu, members of the Assembly of the Republic, leaders of the National Theater and members of the wider artistic community were present.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear family of Adriana Abdullahu,
Ms. Drita Abdullahu Zaimi, and sons Uliks and Sentoni,
Dear friends of Adriana, Mr. Lutolli, Mr. Petrovci, Mr. Dragaj, Mr. Safqiu,
Dear Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu,
Members of the Assembly of the Republic,
Dear artists and actors, wide artistic community,
Dear leadership of the National Theatre, directors and the rest of you,
Ladies and gentleman,
Adriana Abdullahu has gathered us today in this theater in Prishtina. Even 25 years after her murder, we are united by the love she had for the stage and for Prishtina.
In March 1999, before leaving Kosovo, Adriana had insisted on coming once more to Prishtina. On the evening of March 22, after being in the theater, they went out with their acting colleagues to the cafe called “Magic”. Adriana was killed there, by shootings from Serbian forces.
Without provocation, without any reason, the art of Kosovo was attacked, our artists were attacked. In the meantime, we tragically lost our Adriana. But not her magic. Adriana’s magic lives on among us and continues to inspire us.
Adriana is called “The Angel of Dodona” and the theater of her city, Ferizaj, is called “Adriana Theater”.
Because a spirit like Adriana’s cannot be extinguished. Time cannot do it, society does not allow it, and human works and experience do not enable it. And we, as the political leadership of the Republic of Kosovo, will not leave it either.
Adriana Abdullahu is known for her rare talent, unwavering dedication to education and her unmatched acting capacity. She continued her studies at the faculty during the war, despite the daily dangers.
Relatives and friends describe her as a girl who shone with her smile and energy. This was also in the dark times of the last years, the last decade, and the last century. Like a rare comet, that shines in the dark, which amazes everyone who sees it and that briefly appears in the sky. Such was Adriana. We will remember her like a comet that returns to us every March 22, every year we live, but also in every show of our Dodona resistance theater and the Adriana Theater that bears her name in Ferizaj.
She and her life will forever be a model of resistance and burning flame for life and freedom in our country.
When she was killed, Adriana Abdullahu was 23 years old. She was a year younger than me. Had they not killed her, Adriana would be a year younger than me today. Last night I was at the “Dodona” theater, and there was a performance of the “Atmospheres” cycle of the Francophonie Week. An excellent performance, fascinating “B+B=BB”, for the figure of Brigitte Bardot, as she became English in the situations and works of the modern history of French culture and art.
Adriana Abdullahu would have been able to watch the French show “B+B=BB” last night if they had not killed it 25 years ago. The killer 25 years ago did not target Adriana so simply, the killer hated to the point of murder an Albanian who celebrates, a promising artist.
He didn’t shoot at Adriana, but he shot at her social situation, her festive surroundings. If Adriana had not been killed 25 years ago, there would have been countless shows where she has already played roles and the awards with which she has already been awarded.
If they didn’t kill her today, her students would be able to celebrate the exams they gave her, like she celebrated the exams she gave in Faruk Begolli’s class.
If they hadn’t killed her 25 years ago, maybe today we would be discussing which of her children resembled the beautiful and famous mother of our theater actor the most.
The injustice of Adriana’s murder left an irreplaceable echo. Her physical loss will never overwhelm her positive spiritual power. This is evidenced by the Ferizaj Theater where the new generations of artists develop under the umbrella of the “Adriana” Theater name.
And this is just one step towards preserving the spiritual, artistic heritage that she left behind herself for the rest of us.
Today’s commemoration is another modest step that we are taking together, to recall the life and work of Adriana Abdullah.
New generations should have the opportunity to know good examples, of desire and unconditional love to create even in the most difficult times and in the most dangerous conditions. This is the biggest lesson that Adriana teaches us, even after 25 years of not being physically with us.
It reminds us that art and culture, although they develop over time, do not depend on time. It reminds us that art and culture are the essence of the resistance of oppressed peoples, who want and achieve freedom.
Our institutions of the Republic of Kosova are constantly and strongly taking care to ensure that our figures of art and culture are honored.
We will engage in a systematic way so that their work, which is a social contribution, is documented and archived. To commemorate the legacy they left behind, to develop and be accessible to new generations, to those who will come after us.
With a great love for life, Adriana lived at an extremely fast pace. The war of the aggressor cut off the dream of her theater and ours. On the wings of the freedom of our Republic, it is being carried and brought to life by the young generations of actors, along with the unparalleled love for art, for citizens, for theater, for beauty.
Glory to the life and work of Adriana Abdullahu!
May her memory be eternal and forever!
Last modified: March 25, 2024