In honor of the life and work of academician Rexhep Ferri, a commemorative meeting was held at the Kosovo Academy of Sciences and Arts, where his work was commemorated, while those present also paid homage.

In his speech, the President of the Kosovo Academy of Sciences and Arts, Mehmet Kraja emphasized that our Republic is of art and works because of artists such as Rexhep Ferri.

Kraja has said that Ferri has taken a place of honor in the art history of Kosovo.

“Actually, academician Ferri and others of his generation, the golden generation that created the identity of Kosovo before any other political movement began, the identity art, which must have one day produced what today we proudly call the Republic of Kosovo. Thanks to this generation, our Republic is also one of art, human dignity and human values”, said Kraja.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of the country, Albin Kurti, said that all generations will learn from the works of the intellectual Ferri, adding that he will always be remembered as the most special artist.

“The patriot, Rexhep Ferri will not leave us. His work is very great, he will pass it on to all of us who had the great fortune to know him closely, but also to all the younger generations who have a lot to learn by him. We are not gathered here to remember only one artist, but we are here because an outstanding intellectual will continue to illuminate the way of thought. He will always be remembered as a modernist artist, as the most special artist. He painted for about seven decades, now his painting will speak countless decades about him. His art is the eternal reflection of our national being”, said Kurti.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Ferri family, Naser Ferri, said that today, apart from the family, it is a painful day for the whole of Albania, as the country has lost an outstanding intellectual.

He stated that the painter Ferri left behind a pure artistic activity for all generations.

Rexhep Ferri was born in Kukës in 1937. In 1958 he graduated from the High School of Art in Peja, whereas in 1966 he graduated from the painting department of the Academy of Arts in Belgrade. In the period 1974-2005, he was a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Prishtina.

In 1996, he was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, whereas in 2000, was elected a regular member of this Academy.

He has published books of poems, novels, essays. There are nine titles summarized in the selected literary works.

In 1971, he received the December Award of the Assembly of Kosovo, whereas in 2012, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Albania’s Independence, he was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Vlora.

On the occasion of his 80th birthday, his personal exhibition with selected works was opened at the Kosovo Academy of Sciences and Arts. A monograph on his work was also published at the Academy.