Skanderbeg was not only a shield for Albania, but also for Europe, according to Albania’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Petrit Malaj, on Tuesday.

Marking the 620th anniversary of the birth of the national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti, the Albanian diplomat paid his respects before the Skanderbeg monument in Pristina.

"This is an important day for the Albanian nation. It marks the 620th anniversary of the birth of our national hero, Skanderbeg a towering figure of our country—one before whom we bow with respect and gratitude. What remains for us now is to ensure that our younger generations are raised with pride in the legacy left to us by our national hero. Skanderbeg was a shield not only for Albania, but also for Europe. This is especially significant in today's times, which we are all facing together," he said.

The national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti – Skanderbeg, was born on May 6, 1405, into a noble family from Dibra, that of Gjon Kastrioti.

He was taken hostage by Sultan Murad and fought for the Ottoman Empire as a general until 1443, the year he deserted during a battle and returned to Kruja. In 1444, he gathered all the Albanian princes in the League of Lezhë, where it was unanimously decided to fight for the liberation of Albanian lands from the Ottoman Empire.

At the head of the Albanian army, following his first victory against the Ottomans at the Battle of Torvioll, Skanderbeg went on to achieve 22 major victories against the Ottoman Empire during his years of military leadership, with Kruja as the center of his resistance.

The national hero became renowned for his unwavering fight in a key geopolitical area between East and West. He was recognized as a loyal ally of the King of Naples in the Treaty of Gaeta, supporting King Ferdinand of Naples during the civil war of 1460–1461. In 1463, he was appointed commander of the crusading forces by Pope Pius II. He died on January 17, 1468, at the age of 63.

Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg is widely regarded in many Western European countries as the hero who prevented the Ottoman Empire from conquering Western Europe, and as a symbol of Christian resistance against the Muslim Ottomans.