The Municipality of Prishtina held a solemn session today on the anniversary of the Liberation Day of the capital.
The session began with the national anthem of the Republic of Kosovo and the Albanian national anthem, as reported by KosovaPress.
The Mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, said that this day marks the end of a century-long occupation and the beginning of a new chapter.
“Today, on June 11, we pause to remember one of the most important moments in our history—the day Prishtina was liberated. June 11, 1999, marked the end of a century-long occupation and was the day of a new beginning, when the words freedom and independence were no longer forbidden. On this day, we cannot fail to mention President Ibrahim Rugova, who symbolized peaceful resistance for the state, and the legendary KLA commander, Adem Jashari, who with his own sacrifice and that of his entire family, definitively sealed our right to freedom,” Rama initially said.
On this day, Rama publicly awarded a recognition of honor from the capital to the Albanian-American activist Ekrem Bardha.
“Every June 11, we bow with respect to those who made this day possible. Alongside the soldiers stand those who fought from afar. Today, we have the honor of being joined by a living hero—Ekrem Bardha. Ekrem Bardha is one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian diaspora. He fled Albania in the 1950s to escape the communist regime. Through tireless work, he became a well-known voice not only among Albanians but also within American lobbying circles. For many years, he was the owner of the newspaper Illyria in New York. Bardha strongly lobbied in Washington, becoming one of the most vocal advocates for raising awareness about the Kosovo issue in America,” Rama added, according to KosovaPress.
The Prishtina Assembly approved the mayor’s proposal to name the new park in the “Kalabria” neighborhood after Ekrem Bardha.
“I want to propose that the new park in the Kalabria neighborhood, which is the largest in the new Prishtina, bear the name ‘Bardha Park.’ Today, on behalf of the city of Prishtina, I have the honor to present you with the capital’s token of recognition. We thank you for your unconditional love,” concluded Mayor Përparim Rama.
After receiving the honor, activist Ekrem Bardha recalled the time of his lobbying efforts and those of the American diaspora for the Kosovo cause. Bardha said that this day is a dream that came true through great sacrifice.
“I’m truly touched, but I still wonder whether it’s real—that I am in Prishtina and we are enjoying Kosovo’s freedom. This was a dream that came true. I believe that the American diaspora made an extraordinary contribution. Great credit goes to the KLA’s fight and to the leader of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, who showed the American people the heart of the people of Kosovo. His policy had an impact even on President Clinton. With great pride, we visited today those thanks to whom we gained the freedom we have today. The diaspora united around the national flag, and when Albanians unite, they win. I have understood that America is a land of wonders; with the success I had, I was able to make a tireless contribution,” said Ekrem Bardha.
Fatmir Sopi, a representative of the branch of organizations that emerged from the war, said that this day came as a result of the sacrifice of many people who gave everything for freedom.
“Today, on June 11, we remember one of the brightest days in our history—the day the heart of Kosovo was liberated. This liberation did not come easily; it was the result of great sacrifice by the sons and daughters of this country. On this day, we honor all the nation’s martyrs. We remember those who sacrificed and gave everything to protect our national identity. Prishtina, as the capital, was not only a symbol of resistance but also a sign of political and military organization. Today we remember a feeling, a vow, a legacy. We remember the fight for freedom as a lasting value,” said Sopi. /KosovaPress
