Honorable Speaker of the Assembly,
Honorable deputy Speaker
Honourable ambassadors of friendly countries,
Representatives of security institutions, civil society, various associations,
Doctors,
Athletes,
Associations of families of the missing persons and partner organizations,
Friends of the land, tradition and prosperity,
Everything begins from the land: life, prosperity and abundance. The land nourishes every family. The land is the root that holds every nation together, and as such is the clearest proof that work and dedication bring prosperity and success.
Tonight at this Lama Dinner, our traditional holiday, we are not simply celebrating the end of a working season, but at the same time we are also honoring the very philosophy of life of the man who lives with the land, who works the land, who rejoices when it bears fruit and who thanks God for this fruit.
This Lama Dinner, which is an initiative of the historic President, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, is a cultural event and a reminder of our connection to our roots, to the land that sustains us, to the tradition that teaches us to be grateful.
Therefore, tonight we remember once again the wisdom of President Rugova, who believed that the nation is strengthened by work, knowledge and love for the land that nourishes us.
In our cultural tradition, an everyday expression is: May God grant you blessings!
This greeting personifies the philosophy of life and summarizes hope, gratitude and the connection between man and nature.
It is an expression that has been passed down from generation to generation from the tables of our villages and cities, to the courtyards where the seeds were stored for the next year.
Just like the “Thanksgiving” holiday in some of the friendly allied countries, “Thanksgiving Day”, which is celebrated, among other things, to give thanks for the harvest and prosperity, but also for everything we are grateful for in our lives. Tonight, in our own way, with our culture and spirit, we also give thanks for the blessings of this year, for our blessed land that filled our barns and for the hands of our farmers, who have worked for the bread of their country.
In many European markets, the ajvar of the Women of Krusha is already known as a synonym for taste and high quality. The wines of Rahovec or Suhareka compete with the wines of the most famous regions of Europe. Grapes, honey, saffron, apples, teas, mountain fruits and many, many other products have become ambassadors of Kosovo and evidence of our fertile land, the craftsmanship of our farmers, as well as the dedication to cultivate with love and passion.
These products, besides being economic goods, are a story, a story about our working people, who turn their labor into prosperity, their sweat into pride!
Dear friends,
Agriculture is one of the pillars of the state’s empowerment.
Every yield, every farm, every organic product that reaches our market is a step towards our economic independence.
Today, organic products are not only the pride of our state, but a standard that is gaining more and more space and more and more respect in other markets around the world and in the lives of citizens who choose to live healthy.
However, our working citizens are not only proving themselves with agriculture, but only with their skills in this sector.
In fact, Kosovo has worthy people in every sector, who with their contribution make the state increasingly stronger, increasingly more stable.
Therefore, at this Lama Dinner, I would like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of those who keep this country alive and proud every day.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of Kosovo’s allies who have joined us tonight at this Lama Dinner, and who always stand by us in every challenge.
Unlimited respect for the Police of the Republic of Kosovo, who with professionalism and dedication safeguard the safety of our citizens.
For the Kosovo Security Force, who with discipline and sacrifice is the guardian of our Republic and the purest reflection of modern patriotism.
Gratitude to our firefighters, who face danger to save lives, but also to save our land.
For the doctors and nurses who have joined us tonight and many, many others who are working to save lives, who every day keep hope and care for the health of our people alive.
Heartfelt gratitude to all the associations that emerged from the war, to the survivors of sexual violence during the war, to the associations that they support every day and for the courage and dignity with which they have turned wounds into strength.
To the organizations that defend women’s rights, patients’ rights, children’s rights and in general, organizations that every day are champions for human rights, reminding us that equality is the foundation of freedom.
Honor to our successful athletes, who raise our flag in the international arena.
To the associations that work with us every day so that Kosovo moves forward.
To our institutions that every day defend democracy.
And also, as I mentioned earlier, the associations that emerged from the KLA war, which preserve the memory of the sacrifice, and for the associations of the families of the forcibly disappeared, which never stop in their search for justice.
A special thank you also to the associations that deal with children’s rights and associations that deal with people with special needs.
We have here the Down Syndrome association, the Autism associations and many, many others, who remind us every day that love, dedication and dignity know no bounds.
Because a strong society is measured by the way it takes care of each of its members.
Thank you to the teachers, who every day ensure that our education system moves forward, including my first teacher, who has joined us here tonight.
Each of you, each of you is living proof that Kosovo is a spirit that does not give up.
And this non-surrender is best reflected in the children we have invited tonight, who are champions in mathematics, science, law, and university students and many, many others, who are making us proud every day.
Kosovo, then, is a spirit that does not give up, a heart that beats strongly for dignity, hope, and well-being.
Honored guests,
In every harvest season, Kosovar families not only provide food for their tables, but also strengthen the country’s economy, because essentially every handful of grain, every basket of apples, every grape vine is a stone on the foundation of our state, a state that is built on honest work and respect for the land that nourishes us.
The Lama Dinner is a celebration of gratitude to the worker, the farmer, to prosperity, to nature that forgives us, and to God who gives us this blessing.
It is also a moment of reflection and gratitude for every institution of our state, for every association and every person who contributes to our beloved homeland.
It is a moment to remember that the strength of a nation is not measured only by economic numbers, but also by the spiritual connection it has with its land and its tradition.
Let this dinner be an inspiration to move forward with more care for the land, with more support for the people of this land and with more love for each other.
May God bless all of you, for our beloved Kosovo and for our allies!
Happy Lama Dinner!
May God bless the land of Kosovo!
Thank you!
