Prishtina, 10 June 2011
The following is the full text of a speech given by Prime Minister Thaçi at this ceremony:
Honorable participants
Ladies and gentlemen
Today is the 133rd anniversary of the Albanian League of Prizren, the most important political and military national organization following the resistance of George Castriota Skanderbeg in the 15th century.
One of the main goals of the Albanian League of Prizren was to protect the territory of the four Albanian Vilayets which it did through a provisional government, which raised units to defend it against the goals of its neighbors.
Within the context of this resistance organized by the political and military leadership of the Albanian League of Prizren, Rugova had the historic and geographic fate to be at the front of the defense of Albanian territories from Montenegro.
The battle of Nokshiq on 4 December 1879 was the first moment of opposition to the decisions of the Congress of Berlin to divide Albanian territories.
Many fighters from this historic area were distinguished in this battle, which before and during the National Renaissance produced 47 renowned leaders in the liberation movement.
The Rexhajs from Shkreli were distinguished in this battle and became a symbol of the victory of the battle of Nokshiq, especially the fighters Adem Isufi and Rexhë Avdija.
General Çelë Shabani, who died heroically defending Plav and Guci a month after the battle of Nokshiq was also from Rugova
Rugova has always been part of Albanian history.
It gave a distinguished contribution to the National Renaissance, and continued with the Kaçak wars between the two world wars.
After the Second World War, Rugova produced renowned activists in the liberation movement: in the 1968 demonstrations and in 1981 and in the student movement.
Proudly and with great dignity, Rugova was inseparable from the glorious war of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
It gave 17 martyrs for freedom.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Rugova is a name signifying Albanian pride, a place of traditional folklore, a place of unique cultural value
Raising this memorial is a symbolic confirmation of the rich history of this country.
