The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, congratulated November 28 today, underlining the importance of this date for the Albanian nation.
President Osmani emphasized that this day unites four events that shape Albanian identity: Flag Day, Albanian Independence, the birth of Commander Adem Jashari and the first public appearance of the KLA. She mentioned the unbreakable connection between the history of Kruja, Vlora and Prekaz, emphasizing that “two states, one nation, two flags, one heart” remain the compass of the common path.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kurti delivered a long and symbolic message, describing November 28 as the date that has followed the fate of the nation for centuries. He recalled the raising of the flag in Kruja in 1443, the declaration of independence in 1912, the birth of Adem Jashari in 1955, and the emergence of the KLA in 1997, calling these “links of an unbreakable chain of freedom.”
Kurti also spoke about "November the Third", a symbol of future national unity through work and dedication: a historical legacy waiting to be fulfilled.
"There is no other nation in the world whose fate is so inextricably intertwined with a specific date as the date November 28 is intertwined with the fate of our nation. This 28th day of the eleventh month was truly a historical accident of the year 1443, but such an accident, repeated so persistently throughout history, inevitably returned and became a sacred sign of our national calendar. On this date, over the Kruja Castle, the red and black flag of the Kastriots was raised, which returned and became our national flag. Thus began the journey of our Novembers that came and were linked like links in an indissoluble chain, marking not only the calendar date, but also the path of our freedom.
After many centuries, on November 28, 1912, this flag was raised again in Vlora in Labëria, when the independence of today's Albania was proclaimed. Administrative. This was our Second November. In this proclamation, part of Sami Frashëri's ambitious project, which had envisaged an Albania within the approximate borders of the four vilayets, was realized. He clearly emphasized that "the sole purpose of the Albanians is to keep Albania from being torn apart by foreigners, to maintain their language and nationality". But this, unfortunately, was only partially achieved at that time. Moreover, in his memoirs, on the first anniversary of independence, in 1913, Luigj Gurakuqi expressed that "in the life of nations, as well as in the lives of people, unexpected events sometimes occur, which disrupt the course of affairs and cause some events that were neither expected nor hoped to occur. "That was what happened in 1912, a time filled with misery and suffering, but which, amidst the turmoil and unknown evils, had also brought something unexpected and priceless, namely the freedom, unity and independence of the Homeland!"
However, the story of our Novembers does not end here. On this same date, in 1955, in the Jashari towers in Prekaz, the Commander-in-Chief of the KLA, Adem Jashari, was born, the man who would lead the fight for Kosovo's freedom. Also, on November 28, 1997, the KLA, for the first time, came out publicly to let the world know that this people was ready to make any sacrifice and would never give up the fight for freedom. All these efforts, wars and sacrifices of Albanian patriots throughout the centuries have been crowned today with an independent Albania and an independent Kosovo.
Of course, as a European nation, we have our eyes turned towards the future, towards a Third November, which must come through our efforts, work and continuous dedication. This Third November, even if it does not fall on this day, even if it is not the month of November, we can baptize it today as our Third November 28. Then the will of all Albanian patriots, living and dead, will be fulfilled. We wish that this day comes as soon as possible!
Albanian brothers and sisters, wherever you are, among your families and friends, on this day of joy and celebration:
Enjoy November 28, Flag Day! ", Kurti wrote.