Dr. Violeta Hanna Begolli, a renowned dentist and humanitarian, has passed away. Her son, Astrit Begolli, shared a touching tribute, recounting his mother’s sacrifices and dedication to Kosovo and the national cause, especially during the years of Serbian occupation and the recent war.
A Quiet Activist and Courageous Informant
Astrit’s tribute, posted on social media, highlights that his mother was not just a medical professional who built a reputable career over 50 years. She was also a quiet activist for the Albanian cause, making extraordinary contributions that, he believes, often go unmentioned today.
He revealed that Dr. Violeta maintained regular contact with family members in Poland, informing them about the situation in Kosovo through letters and phone calls, reporting on Serbian persecution. She even had connections with the Vatican through relatives linked to church structures.
Facing Danger in Peja
Astrit recounts a particularly harrowing episode that illustrates the risks she faced: on March 24, 1999, just before the start of NATO bombings, a Serbian policeman nervously entered her clinic in Peja, demanding a fake appointment. This raised strong suspicions of an assassination attempt.
“The clinic was empty, but surprisingly, he checked everything, as if to ensure no one else was there,” Astrit wrote. The danger became so immense that Dr. Violeta, along with her family, decided to flee Peja on March 31, 1999, at 7 PM, only three days after she had stopped going to work. They left in the direction of Montenegro.
Unsung Contributions and a Call for Recognition
Astrit Begolli expressed sorrow that today, despite all her sacrifices, his mother is primarily remembered only as a dentist, and not as a woman who made concrete contributions against the Serbian regime and for the freedom of the Albanian people. He stated that the then-state security structures (SUP) were aware of her activities and had attempted to punish her for them.
“My parents are retired and in good health, despite their age. But no one talks about the contribution they made, especially my mother. And perhaps it was worth it…,” his tribute concludes.
