On the occasion of the 117th anniversary of the Congress of Manastir, the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Dimal Basha, stated that today marks the commemoration of the event that gave the Albanian nation the foundations of its written language.
“On November 14, 1908, in the heart of Manastir, the Congress of the Alphabet began, the assembly of Albanian scholars that decided the fate of our language. For eight consecutive days, delegates from all Albanian regions worked to unify the alphabet, making November 22 a date of national unity,” Basha wrote on Facebook.
He emphasized that the vision of the delegates of that time laid the foundation for the alphabet used today in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, the Presevo Valley, Montenegro, and the Albanian diaspora.
“The Congress of Manastir, led by the distinguished minds of the time such as Mit’hat Frashëri, Gjergj Fishta, Gjergj Qiriazi, Ndre Mjeda, Sotir Peci, and Parashqevi Qiriazi, remains the cornerstone of our culture and national identity. The Congress demonstrated that when Albanians unite their minds and will, historical successes of great value and lasting impact are never lacking,” he stated.
Basha further noted that the spirit of Manastir should guide Albanian politics today, emphasizing the importance of institutional coordination and support for Albanians wherever they live.
“Happy 117th anniversary of the Congress of Manastir. Tribute to the Congress and to all those who protect, write, and cultivate the Albanian language,” Basha concluded.
