Kosovo’s Acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, paid tribute to national martyr Elfete Humolli on the 36th anniversary of her killing, honoring her sacrifice during the demonstrations against Serbian oppression in the late 1980s.
According to an official statement, Kurti recalled the wave of mass protests that swept across Kosovo in January 1990, taking place not only in cities but also in rural areas. On the night of January 31, 1990, powerful demonstrations erupted in Podujeva, continuing the following day in Lower Lupç, where 16-year-old Elfete Humolli was fatally shot.
“Her final words were: ‘Where is Mentor, has he escaped?’” Kurti was quoted as saying, referring to Elfete’s concern for her 13-year-old brother, who had joined the protests alongside her.
Symbol of Youth Resistance and National Sacrifice
Kurti emphasized that Elfete Humolli took part in the demonstrations to defend the people and demand the Republic of Kosovo, standing against Serbian occupation. Like many other students, she was at the forefront of resistance, which later paved the way for the armed uprising and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) struggle.
Her brother, Mentor Humolli, also fell as a martyr in May 1999, fighting as a member of the KLA during the Kosovo war, further underscoring the family’s profound sacrifice.
“Elfete and Mentor Humolli are not only sister and brother, but enduring symbols of sacrifice and resilience,” Kurti said. “Their blood lies at the roots and foundations of our freedom, our statehood, and our national aspirations.”
Visit to the Humolli Family
During his visit to the Humolli family, Kurti wrote in the book of remembrance:
“A sister asking about her brother — whether he had survived. These were the final words of Elfete Humolli, a national martyr who fell heroically at just 16 years old during a protest against Serbian occupation. Her brother Mentor later fell as a KLA fighter in battle against the same enemy. The roots of our freedom and the foundations of our state are built on the blood of the nation’s finest sons and daughters. Glory to them.”
The commemoration reaffirmed the central role of sacrifice, youth resistance, and collective memory in Kosovo’s struggle for freedom and independence.
