A commemorative ceremony for the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Mirdite was held today in the city of Rrëshen. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister of Education Lindita Nikolla, Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Erion Veliaj and MPs of the district.
In the beginning, the Prime Minister inspected a number of projects and interventions in the infrastructure made by the Municipality of Rrëshen, with the intent to facilitate circulation of citizens and communication among them.
The Municipality of Rrëshen has built several kilometres-long sidewalks, two-lane roads, has planted 1500 decorative plants and added lighting. In addition, citizens have now 8 public parks with 200 benches. The Municipality has also completed the reconstruction of facades for 8 new buildings and has restored spaces between them.
Mayor of Rrëshen, Ndue Kola said that this investment has allowed the city to breathe again. Meanwhile, the government has allocated a special fund for the city Loop. “We have made some works. We thank the government and Prime Minister Rama for allocating a considerable fund for the city Loop which is totally destroyed” – the Mayor said.
Prime Minister Rama addressed to attendees saying that, besides paying tribute to all martyrs of the district, on liberation day we also convey the renaissance message through the implementation of a number of urban projects for citizens. The Prime Minister promised to residents of Mirdite that he is determined to fulfil every commitment he has taken. “We are here to honour the memory of all those who put their lives at the foundations of the freedom of this district, but at the same time we are here to convey throughout the district the message of a renaissance started through a number of projects that have been completed or that are on the way of completion. A number of projects that we discussed today with the Mayor will be implemented in order to transform first of all the school infrastructure, having as a point of reference the high school of Rrëshen, and beyond, for the transformation of the sport and cultural life of the youth. There are so many spaces and assets that are out of use, but also a number of state assets that must be made available for sport, cultural and social activities for the young people. Wishing from the heart all the best to people of Miridite, I remain very committed to fulfil every promise we made to them.”
Minister of Education Lindita Nikolla, besides honouring the liberation day of Mirdite, showed appreciation for its values. “I grew up with everything that people of this region have, their knowledge, their love for the homeland. They are open-minded people who look towards the future in order to build a better life for their children. They are honest and hard working people. I am very happy to celebrate the 70th liberation anniversary of Mirdite with veterans, teachers and the young people of this city” – Minister Nikolla said.
During the ceremony at the Memorial of Martyrs of Mirdite, people put wreaths and paid tribute to their memory.
The traditional liberation holiday that is celebrated every year in Miridte, gathered together in the city centre veterans, citizens, young people, representative of the local power and many other guests.
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Prime Minister Rama visited also the Vocational High School “St. Joseph the Worker”, built with the support of the Caritas and the Diocese, with the intent to increase young people’s chances for employment. Accompanied by catholic leaders of the school, the Prime Minister visited the classrooms and laboratories of the school, which is built according to contemporary standards. Here, young people of Mirdite study in optimal conditions and master different professions.
In addition, school leaders informed the Prime Minister on the programs of study that offer students in-depth knowledge on the subject they have chosen. “The first year begins with the knowledge of metals and fitting which is taught for all branches: transport vehicle services, hydraulics and electro-techniques. Then, the students are aquatinted with the panels, from civil plants to the industrial plants”- one of the leaders explained.
Bishop of Rrëshen Cristoforo Palmieri, at the same time Principal of the vocational school, thanked the Prime Minister and showed his willingness to increase collaboration with the government for additional support. “I am sure that this school makes you happy as well. Besides being grateful for you appreciation, we wish for further collaboration with you so that this educational institution for the work and the values of the Albanian people – of which Pope Francis himself spoke very precisely – will find a valuable support” – Bishop Palmieri said.
The Prime Minister answered saying that the government is implementing a new policy for vocational education. In addition, he assured the staff of the school and its leaders that the government will support any project of theirs in order to further improve its performance and of other similar schools. “What matters is that you are asking this at a time when we have opened a new door, with a whole new policy on vocational education, being focused as never before on vocational education, which we believe is the foundation of a country that employs and creates real opportunities so that young people can live from honest work.”
In addition, the Prime Minister said that the government is highly driven to invest when the young people of Albania are increasingly oriented towards and attracted by vocational education as a new opportunity for their real employment in the future. “The fact that there has been a high number of demands for vocational education this year, while the number of those that have entered vocational education has multiplied within the first year, is sufficient for us to continue further with more collaboration, increase investments and interventions in similar structures” – the Prime Minister said in conclusion of this visit to the school.
Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Erion Veliaj defined the high school “St. Joseph the Worker” as an oasis of excellence. In addition, he promised that the institution he leads will support any idea and project submitted by the school leaders.
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Prime Minister Rama made a special stop to a wine cellar in Mirdite, widely known for its tasteful and quality products. This winery has produced the first Albanian sparkling wine. “We started gradually buying equipments and just a month ago we could produce the first Albanian sparkling wine, an autochthonous Albanian variety. This is new to us, since up to date nobody could do this” – one of the cellar’s managers told the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said that nothing is impossible when people approach work with successful ideas. “I raise this glass with the first Albanian champagne to make a toast as a sign of respect for all those families, like this one, who have chosen to challenge reality with ideas, talent, good will and work and who have made it, and everyday show across Albania that nothing is impossible even in the toughest reality, provided that people approach work with successful ideas.”
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The Prime Minister continued his visit in the city of Rubik where, likewise Rrëshen, people where celebrating the 70th anniversary for the liberation of Mirdite. Prime Minister Rama inspected works carried out in the city for the reconstruction of the primary school whose infrastructure, as Mayor of Rubik Gjok Vukaj said, was totally ruined and was laying in extremely poor conditions that made it impossible to do class during winter. “We will build a school that is suitable for teaching and learning. Until today, there have only been walls but it was impossible to do class during winter. The Municipality of Rubik have received zero investments in the years 2011, 2012, 2013” – Mayor Vukaj said.
The Prime Minister noted that this is only the beginning and that new important projects are being discussed with the Mayor. One of these is the by-pass project which will keep the city safe from the river. In addition, the Prime Minister said that once these projects are implemented, the era of abandonment that has marked the city will be over.
“This is only the beginning. It is of primary importance to guarantee to children the school and a regular learning process also during winter, not only during warm seasons. Meanwhile, together with the Mayor we are discussing some projects. You know that I am a lot concerned about that field over there, the football pitch, which symbolizes oblivion and abandonment. The most important project is the by-pass that will keep the whole city safe from the river, but it will also give it a new opportunity to not remain like a fake pocket. We are discussing precisely on this and I am very much convinced that we will come back here soon to open new sites and to give people who live here the opportunity to feel equal to others and not abandoned and forgotten as they have been so far.”
