Tributes to the renowned journalist and publicist, Artur Zheji, began this Monday at 10:00 AM at the University of Arts. Many personalities also spoke after paying homage at Artur Zheji's coffin.
Writer and publicist Preç Zogaj has remembered and exalted the figure of Zheji, with whom he worked in several media outlets, but not only that, he also had a close friendship with him.
"It is a sad day for journalistic journalism, for all my friends, one of whom is me. I was lucky enough to know him early and work with him, to exchange ideas, he was an intellectual with broad interests. I think he established elegance in political analysis in Albania. He had a cultural foundation that few have, which helped him create his own authentic style. He said things with the intention of being influential, but not murderous," said Zogaj.
Director Kiço Londo also expressed his pain with a touching message, remembering the figure of his friend.
"We come from the same air, from the same province, from the same village, from the same blood. We come from the same course, in this wonderful school today is also a day of deep mourning. It is a day where we all must cry for the light we lost, for the depth of thought we lost, for Artur Zheji who not only came from a genius gene, but also had a strong vein of genius in himself. Sad light that we lost, but the day that Artur is leaving behind was meant to help us become better", said Kiço Londo.
Former Minister Paskal Milo recalled the first moments of meeting Zheji and the long collaboration with him.
"I have known Zheji for about 27 years, I was first interviewed by a journalist in Rome, where I was foreign minister and he worked for Radicale radio. From there we established friendly cooperation. With a special style, highly elaborate vocabulary, combined with expressive journalism but also deep philosophical thought, Zheji is one of the most prominent journalists who has dealt with national issues in general, but especially with Kosovo ," said Milo.
Among the many personalities who remembered the figure of Artur Zheji, in the tributes held at the University of Fine Arts, was actor Timo Flloko.
"He was a personality of extraordinary dimensions. Artur was a great artist in spirit. I taught him in a course. He knew everything. I had a close friendship with him, he left very quickly and strangely. The pain is great."
Another short speech in honor of Zheji was given by the Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhe.
"After the Zheji we saw on the screens, there was an even more artistic Zheji, maybe there would have been more in the years to come, but unfortunately for all of us and for journalism, it did not happen. Life is very harsh in such unexpected events. It was a very premature departure ," said Minister Blendi Gonxhe.
Zheji, 64, passed away two days ago in Saranda, where he was on vacation with his family. He was known as one of the most prominent figures in Albanian journalism and publicism.