Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, has paid tribute to former President of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, on the anniversary of his birth.
In a reflective message, Spiropali recalled how Rugova first appeared to her “almost like a prophet” during childhood, noting that over time she understood he was an extraordinary and unique political figure.
“Perhaps because of his name, Ibrahim/Abraham, as a child I imagined Rugova as a prophet. Later, I realized he resembled no one. He did not shout, he did not boast, he did not insult opponents, he did not beat his chest, nor did he fight to be everywhere without reason. His presence and his absence were equally meaningful,” Spiropali wrote.
She emphasized Rugova’s distinctive leadership style, describing him as a calm but unbreakable force who shaped Kosovo’s political and spiritual path.
“Rugova was not guided by the crowds. He guided them — through uncharted paths, from darkness toward light,” she added.
Spiropali highlighted Rugova’s role in reviving Dardania, the roots of Kosovo’s identity, and presenting Kosovo to the world as a nation committed to peace, dignity, and democratic values.
“Kosova and Rugova — Rugova and Kosova — are inseparable in the eyes of the civilized world,” she emphasized.
Marking 81 years since his birth, Spiropali concluded that Rugova’s legacy remains a permanent guiding reference for Kosovo’s difficult but determined journey toward freedom and full statehood.
