The monument of Gjergj Kastrioti-Skanderbeg was unveiled today on the eve of the birthday of our great national hero and the marking of the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Municipality of Gjakova.

The unveiling of the monument of the legendary Albanian hero, who resisted the Ottoman Empire for 25 years, took place in the city’s Great Park, in the presence of municipal authorities, various political figures and many citizens from the Albanian lands.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Gjakova, Ardian Gjini, has praised the installation of the monument of Albanian leader in the city burned by the war and Serbian barbarism during the war in Kosovo. He said that the figure of Skanderbeg represents the powerful unity that reigns among Albanians over the centuries.

“Monuments when you see them are stone and bronze, but if all these people who are here have in their hearts such a monument is no longer just bronze and stone because it is in the heart of each person, it is in our feelings and it represents our unity, so when bronze and stone are loved by all, then they become symbols that unite us and make us stronger and make us feel better in our land and country… We have always been here and we will be here, but today we also have a bronze monument that will live as long as life”, he said.

The chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, in his speech said that the symbol of Albanian unity and permanent connection with the West, Gjergj Kastrioti-Skanderbeg is an inspiration for every Albanian, whose legacy inspired the efforts for freedom throughout centuries, including Gjakova.

“Gjergj (Skanderbeg) remained alone, but he never gave up his direction, his own path, his commitment not only to unite the Albanians to remain themselves and to be here in the Balkans, but also with the convictions he had. What happened to our new generation, the KLA generation, is a miracle, and we can tell you that this millennium that has begun has a great value. You see the American flag here. So, it is not a coincidence that on a day like this we have to connect these alliances. When Albanians are in strong alliances, they feel their rights are secure, and I believe that we should continue exactly where we started, which was also the desire and determination of the Albanians, which is our alliance, in fact today’s Euro-Atlantic alliance and NATO… I think that Gjergji (Skanderbeg) is exactly where he should be, it is in the right place, with the right people”, said Haradinaj.

The ceremony of unveiling the monument of Gjergj Kastrioti – Skanderbeg was concluded with some music performed by well-known singers such as Ilir Shaqiri, Kastriot Tusha under the lines “Albania will always live as long as there is Albanian land and blood”.