The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, stated that the KLA Epic demonstrated that when a people decide to live free, no force can stop them.
At the ceremonial session marking the 28th anniversary of the KLA Epic, Osmani said that the resistance of the Adem Jashari family in Prekaz on March 5, 6, and 7, 1998, gave a new direction to the history of Kosovo, reports KosovaPress.
She emphasized that the legendary KLA commander, Adem Jashari, together with his family, chose sacrifice over submission and freedom over fear.
“March, which in ancient mythology symbolized war and courage, was the month of the confrontations that determined the direction of our history. Precisely on March 5, 6, and 7, 1998, in the heart of Prekaz, our history took a new course. Here stood resistance, sacrifice, heroism, and our future as a nation. In the towers of Prekaz stood the legendary KLA commander, Adem Jashari, together with his entire family, choosing sacrifice over submission. They chose freedom over fear, and above all, honor over life. In those three days, March became the month of the Epic and sacrifice that revived an entire nation. The Jashari family became a fortress, and their towers turned into a permanent flag of our freedom. Today, when we remember March 5, 6, and 7, we remember the moment when Kosovo decided not to live bowed… From Prekaz began the avalanche of freedom that never stopped, a spirit that spread to every village and city, a pledge that this land will not be subjugated. The Epic is epic because it came from the people, from the threshold of the towers in Prekaz. That is how the entire KLA was, because it originated from the people. And the war it waged was not only just but also necessary, and we will protect it as long as life endures,” Osmani said.
Osmani stated that the family of Adem Jashari is not only a symbol of sacrifice but also of high state dignity.
“Today, when we mention the name of Adem Jashari, the legendary commander, and the entire Jashari family, we remember the spirit and call that remind us that freedom is never a gift, but a sacrifice. The state is a responsibility, and the flag that represents it is a mandate. The family of Adem Jashari is not only a symbol of sacrifice but also of high state dignity. With quiet resolve and steadfast determination, the Jashari family continues to occupy the highest pedestal of sacrifice for the homeland,” Osmani said.
Osmani emphasized that the KLA’s struggle was just and necessary and also mentioned the support of international allies for Kosovo.“The Epic teaches us that when a people decide to live free, no force can stop them. The KLA’s struggle, the Jasharis’ struggle, was not only a people’s battle; it was supported by our friends across the globe. From the U.S. to our European allies and many other democratic states, they stood by Kosovo, providing support at the most difficult moments… By remembering our heroes and our past, by remembering all the martyrs who fell and sacrificed for our freedom, we also affirm the future. Kosovo has learned that freedom requires vision, determination, and continuous protection. Every citizen is a partner in this national project. Every just and wise decision strengthens the foundations of our state. Therefore, we have a national and moral duty to transform our historical memory into a political and developmental vision, into a strong Kosovo where strategic decision-making and institutional integrity ensure the prosperity of generations to come. This is the mandate of the KLA Epic,” Osmani said.
