Madam President’s address at the University of Calabria in Italy
During her visit to Calabria, President Osmani delivered an address at the University of Calabria. President Osmani’s address can be accessed at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/VjosaOsmaniMP/videos/773563964231459
President Osmani met with the president of the Province of Cosenza and the mayors of Arbëresh municipalities
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, met today with the President of the Province of Cosenza Mrs. Rosaria Succurro, with whom she discussed the economic, political and cultural relations between the various municipalities of Kosovo and Cosenza. Madam President emphasized that it is very important to create new opportunities for cooperation between our businesses, cultural institutions and tour operators. In Cosenza there are 21 Arbëresh municipalities where tradition, culture and national tradition continue to be preserved for almost six centuries. There are very important treasures in Cosenza, such as the manuscripts of the Renaissance author Jeronim De Rada, located in the Cosenza City Library and elsewhere in Calabria. “The digitization of Albanian literary manuscripts of the 19th century is an asset that should be offered to researchers and new generations,” said President Osmani. The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, also held a meeting with the mayors of Arbëresh municipalities in the Province of Cosenza. Madam President thanked them for their unparalleled commitment to the cultivation of the Arbëresh language, culture and traditions, as an important part of Albanian culture and identity. “We want to work together with you to identify opportunities for the realization of joint projects for the preservation, nurturing and further advancement of your cultural and linguistic traditions,” said the President. Madam President recalled the extraordinary role that the Arbëresh have played throughout history in preserving and promoting the cultural and political identity of Albanians. Furthermore, Madam President appreciated the way the people of Arbëresh have created a good model for all ex-pats and by integrating themselves into the life of the host country, they have nurtured and preserved their traditions, becoming successful citizens of the country, but also a contributor to the culture of the ancestors. “You have given to the culture and to the ethnic body, but also to the host country, Italy, the colours of a special culture, which is the wealth of the country and the culture where you come from, but also of the country that welcomed you,” said President Osmani. The President raised the possibility of designing and implementing projects for the preservation of linguistic heritage and cultural traditions, through the recording and publication of oral memory. “The slow decline of the use of the Albanian language among the younger generations and the reduction of the population, due to migration, is a challenge faced by many countries, including the regions where Arbëresh live. Therefore, clear promotional policies are needed,” said the President. She underlined the necessity of expanding cooperation, and designing tourist itineraries and cultural exchanges, in order to preserve the connection with the land of the ancestors. She appreciated the cooperation of Arbëresh municipalities, which have already been twinned with several Kosovo municipalities.
President Osmani was received by the president of the Calabria Region, Occhiutto
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, on the second day of her visit to Calabria, met with the president of the Region of Calabria Roberto Occhiuto, with whom she discussed the further expansion of cooperation between the Republic of Kosovo and the Region of Calabria. The President emphasized that the ties between our country and the Calabria Region are long-lasting and are based upon historical and cultural heritage. The Arbëresh community, which for centuries has lived in several regions of Italy including Calabria, constitutes an important part of the ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity of Italy and an important part of it. The President pointed out that the care for the rights of ethnic communities actively contributes to the economic development of Italy. She thanked President Occhiuto for looking after the preservation of the national identity of the Arbëresh people and emphasized that their complete integration and contribution to socio-economic life give relations a different and special dimension. She presented the example of Kosovo in the protection of minorities and emphasized that the more the Arbëresh community is supported in preserving its cultural and linguistic identity, the more this community will contribute to the development of relations between Italy and the Albanian areas. “We are convinced that active policies can be pursued to respect minority languages, to protect and improve the language and cultural heritage of the linguistic and historical minorities of Calabria, including the Arbëresh community. The further improvement of the policies for the preservation and promotion of the language and traditions is related to the policies of education in the language of the minorities,” said President Osmani. Madam President added that in the Calabria Region, an important part of our cultural heritage, inclusive of the literary one, is traditionally nurtured and is found in documents and magazines of great importance to the Albanian people, which must be preserved and digitized so that they can be more easily distributed to young people and to the future generations. President Osmani and Regional President Occhiuto also discussed the possibilities of expanding the economic cooperation between Kosovo and Italy, including the region of Calabria. Madam President invited Italian enterprises, businesses and investors to invest in the strategic sectors of our country’s economy. “We need to bring our economic and tourist operators even closer so that common tourist itineraries from Calabria to Kosovo and vice versa can be established,” said President Osmani. The opening of direct flights between our airports helps mutual tourism and the expansion of ties with Calabria and with the citizens of the region. The possibility of cooperation in agriculture was also discussed at the meeting, given that both countries have great development potential in this field. President Osmani and President Occhiuto also touched on bringing young people closer to each other’s culture and increasing communication between our two countries, especially our young people. “The intensification of the cooperation of our young people can be best achieved through the increase of academic exchanges, scholarships and inter-university cooperation,” said President Osmani.
At the proposal of President Osmani, April 14th is proclaimed as the Day of Survivors of Sexual Violence during the last war in Kosovo
At the proposal of the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, April 14 is proclaimed as the Day of Survivors of Sexual Violence during the last war in Kosovo at the 138th meeting of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo President Osmani stated that this decision will contribute to the preservation of collective memory and emphasized the need for solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. “We recall that during the last war in Kosovo, around 20,000 people were victims of the sexual war. The lives of all these people changed forever. It was on April 14 that Vasfije Krasniqi’s life changed forever, as she was forcibly kidnapped and raped by Serbian forces. She found the courage to share the truth with the whole world. Through her confession, she became the voice of all survivors of sexual violence during the last war in Kosovo”, said President Osmani in her proposal addressed to the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.
President Osmani received the “Gjergj Kastrioti – Skënderbeu” award and participated in the inauguration of “Kosova” square
In a special ceremony organized today in the Arbëresh municipality of Frascineto, Italy, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, was awarded the “Gjergj Kastrioti-Skënderbeu” award. This award was given to the President by the mayor of this municipality, Mr. Angelo Catapano. President Osmani expressed her gratitude to Mayor Catapano and the municipality of Frascineto for the award and continued care they have dedicated to the preservation and cultivation of cultural ties with Albanian territories. She appreciated it as an award that is given to the efforts of the people of Kosovo for freedom and for the preservation of national identity. The president emphasized that Frascineto is known in Albanian culture as a place where, along with Maki and other Arbëresh areas, the idea of national renaissance and the history of our national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti, have been protected. “Frascineto”, said President Osmani, “has given the literature of Albanian culture outstanding personalities and works, which are the foundations of our cultural and literary values. Vincenco Dorsa, Bernard Bilota, Vora Ujko and many other personalities are an important part of our cultural and literary treasure.” Further, President Osmani said that the visit to Calabria signifies the deep gratitude that we have for everything that the people of Arbëresh have given to the culture of their ethnic origin, but also to the host country, Italy. The cultural and linguistic identity of Arbëresh is part of Albanian identity and culture. Therefore, its Arbëresh preservation is vital for our culture. “We have encouraged the institutions of Kosovo and I would like to discuss with Arbëresh municipalities the possibility of designing projects for the preservation of linguistic heritage and cultural traditions, through the recording and publication of what is known in contemporary science as oral memory”, said President Osmani. On this same day, President Osmani, together with the mayor of the municipality of Frascineto, Mr. Katapano inaugurated the “Kosova” square, in the city of Frascineto. The president emphasized that the inauguration of the square bearing the name of Kosovo is proof of maintaining the deep relations that we have traditionally cultivated with the Arbëresh municipalities. We will continue to stay close to our Arbëresh people, so that they can preserve and further cultivate the Arbëresh language, traditions and culture”, emphasized the President.
President: Our freedom bears the seal of Agim Ramadani and other heroes
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has commemorated the hero Agim Ramadani, on the 24th anniversary of his fall. The full statement of President Osmani: 24 years ago, Agim Ramadani was immortalized as a hero, he became a herald of freedom together with the KLA fighters, whose will and courage broke the border between Kosovo and Albania. The man of the pen, brush and rifle is the epitome of freedom, the way to it, but also eternal glory. Our freedom bears the seal of Agim Ramadani and other heroes, who fulfilled the ideal of generations, protected dignity, returned hope and defined the journey of the country of Kosovo. We bow with respect to the heroism of Agim and his fellow fighters, we will always remember them and we will fulfil their testament for the Republic every day!
President Osmani visits Calabria, at the invitation of the Arbëresh community
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has travelled to Calabria, Italy, at the invitation of the Arbëresh community of this region. In a special ceremony, which will be organized in the municipality of Frascineto, the President will be awarded the “Gjergj Kastrioti” award. During her stay in Calabria, President Osmani will have separate meetings with the president of the Calabria Region, in Catanzaro, with the president of the Province of Cozenza, as well as with the mayors of Arbëresh municipalities of this region, with whom she will discuss the possibilities of further expanding the cooperation of our country with the Arbëresh municipalities of this region. President Osmani will also have a conversation with the students and teachers of the University of Calabria. In all these meetings, the President will raise the possibility of Kosovo’s cooperation with the municipalities of Calabria, in which Arbëresh people live, as well as the possibilities for Kosovo’s institutions to help them preserve their linguistic and cultural identity. The collection of the Arbëresh oral tradition, as well as the registration of linguistic assets, as part of preserving their identity, will be the focus of President Osmani’s visit. The president will take part in numerous activities that focus on Arbëresh tradition, rites and culture.
President Osmani: The battle that took place in Lagje e Re and in Retkoc sealed the determination of the citizens of Kaçanik to win their freedom
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, has commemorated the 24th anniversary of the battle fought in Lagje e Re and in Ratkoc, Kaçanik. Full statement: Today we commemorate the 24th anniversary of the battle fought in Lagje e Re and in Ratkoc of Kaçanik, against the Serbian army, police and paramilitaries, in which case 28 KLA martyrs sacrificed themselves for the freedom of the homeland. This battle is known as one of the most important battles in the Kaçanik region. It proved the freedom-loving spirit of the young men and women of this region and finally sealed the determination of the citizens of Kaçanik to win freedom. The price, unfortunately, was high, but the ideal of the fallen was achieved. Glory to the martyrs!
President: Today we celebrate the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo – the founding act of our state
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, on the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, said that today we celebrate the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo – the founding act of our state. Below you will find the full statement of President Osmani: Today we celebrate the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo – the founding act of our state. Our constitution is an inspiration for civil liberties and rights, for equality before the law and other values, through which this constitution keeps us within the great European family. It is a common duty to protect and advance these values, by preserving sovereignty, territorial integrity, respecting the will of the people, guaranteeing civil liberties without discrimination, always based on the spirit and words of the Constitution. It remains our common duty and priority to respect and implement these constitutional values, with work and dedication, which, among other things, are an expression of our identity.
President Osmani’s greetings for Easter
Holidays like Easter remind us that the power of hope, faith and love always triumphs over the biggest challenges. Easter is a manifestation of our joint human values, support, humanity and solidarity, which our people continue to cultivate continuously. I wish that Easter today is filled with celebration and joy, and your homes with prosperity! Happy Easter Day!