The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, this year did not attend the commemorative ceremonies marking the 113th anniversary of Albania’s Independence—neither the official events organized by Albania nor the memorial activities of the Vetëvendosje Movement in Prekaz and Boletin.
In his place, the delegations in Prekaz and Boletin were led by the former Speaker of the Assembly, Dimal Basha, and the acting Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi. Meanwhile in Vlora, the LVV delegation was represented by Donika Gërvalla.
Unlike last year, when Kurti participated both in Prekaz and in the official ceremony in Vlora, this time he chose to extend his greetings only through a Facebook post:
“On this date, above the Castle of Kruja, the red and black flag of the Kastrioti family was raised, which returned and became our national flag. This is how the journey of our Novembers began, linked together like the rings of an unbroken chain—marking not only calendar dates, but also the path of our freedom,” Kurti wrote.
He also commemorated the birth of the UÇK’s supreme commander, Adem Jashari, on 28 November 1955, as well as the first public appearance of the UÇK on 28 November 1997.
“All these efforts, struggles, and sacrifices of Albanian patriots throughout the centuries have today been crowned with an independent Albania and an independent Kosovo,” Kurti emphasized.
Neither Kurti nor any spokesperson of the acting Government has provided a reason for his absence from the activities honoring Albania’s Independence Day and the first public appearance of the UÇK, where state leaders traditionally pay respects in Prekaz every year.
