Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of Kosovo in office, has paid tribute to Gjergj Kastrioti – Skënderbeu, marking the 620th anniversary of his birth. In a post on Facebook, Kurti described Skënderbeu as one of the greatest military and political figures of medieval Europe and a cornerstone of Albanian national identity.
“Gjergj Kastrioti was born 620 years ago, most likely on a day like today, St. George’s Day, which his name strongly suggests, and it may have been a Christian medieval tradition to name him ‘Gjergj’,” Kurti wrote.
Skënderbeu is remembered for leading the Arbër resistance against the Ottoman Empire, showing the world how to fight for freedom, homeland, and political unity.
Kurti also shared a portrait of Skënderbeu created in 1533 by German artist Hans Weiditz, a woodcut illustration from the first German-language biography of Skënderbeu written by Marin Barleti.
“He was the most written-about Albanian in history and one of the most documented historical figures overall. The figure of Skënderbeu is one of the pillars upon which the Albanian nation was built and stands. Gjergj Kastrioti was a hero in his lifetime and will remain the national hero of Albanians for all times,” Kurti wrote on Facebook.
