Honorable colleagues of the Government of the Republic and members of parliament of Kosovo,
Honorable friends, well-wishers and family of Uta,
You present here in the Open Balcony,
We have gathered today to honor an extraordinary woman. A name that is now synonymous with heights – not only the heights of the peaks she has climbed, but also the virtues she represents.
Dearest Uta,
Uta of the Mountains!
Welcome back from the icy heights of Kanchenjunga!
As always, with a heart full of joy and pride. But this time with history on her shoulders, as the first Albanian woman to have climbed the 14 highest peaks in the world. A long journey, a difficult journey, filled with thrilling adventures and dangerous challenges, made with disciplined preparation, and composed with dedication and passion.
In May 2017, Uta climbed Everest – 8,848 meters high, the highest peak in the world. Meanwhile, in May 2025, eight years later, she climbed the third highest peak in the world and the 14th in a row in her expedition to climb all 14 mountains over 8,000 meters high, because that is all our planet has.
116,294 meters is the total height of the 14 peaks that Uta has climbed… that is 13 times higher than Mount Everest itself… and somewhere around 10 times higher than the average altitude of a regular passenger plane in flight. It is one of those things that we can think about but somehow not even imagine, that seem completely unbelievable if it were not for the living proof – the person who did it, Uta, who is here today, among us… over 116 thousand times fulfilled and proud. I don’t believe there is any type of bird that flies or even any type of helicopter that lands that could reach all these 14 heights like Uta.
Through you Uta, Kosovo has been to K2, to Annapurna, to Makalu and even to Kanchenjunga. You have been where the storm does not forgive you, where the air is not enough, where the temperature does not promise, but where for people like you – the will is stronger than any stone and rock and there is no peak that is unreachable. With two flags on your back, which you carry inside the bag on your arm and inside the heart on your chest, along with the entire country from which you come. This is an example that speaks to everyone, but especially to our young men and women – that dreams are never too big when you have courage for the peaks and faith in yourself.
In addition to having climbed the highest mountains in the world, you have always been down to earth – with your social kindness to anyone who knows you, but also, in our mountains: in the Rugova Mountains, in Sharr, in Gjeravica, passionately committed to the protection of nature, to the awareness and education of young generations.
As a government, as institutions, but above all, as citizens, we thank you sincerely for your work and contribution that is not measured by an altimeter.
Uta, I know that your effort is full of passion. But let me share with you and with everyone, what we are considering very seriously: we are in the process of evaluating all the procedures and possibilities for one of our mountain peaks to bear the name “Uta Peak”. We are considering it with love because a name that has marked the history of international mountaineering must forever be linked to this land and these mountains.
There are many mountains in Kosovo. They are also very beautiful. From today on, they have another meaning – the memory of a girl who dreamed high, stepped high and left an inspiring legacy for entire generations: the courage to aim and believe, to prove and prove that nothing is impossible.
Thank you, Uta.
Finally, I want to tell you a secret today that will not remain here: Uta and I have already agreed that the next climb will be in our Sharr Mountains, a symbolic hike together through our lands, for which I am ready with a full backpack, appropriate boots and my well-known determination. Uta will lead me, and I believe that her silhouette in front of me will not diminish much, not because of my speed, but because of her kindness.
Thank you once again, thank you 14 times.
