Prime Minister Edi Rama was invited to the concert organized on occasion of the 9th anniversary of Independence. The concert was held at the Cultural Centre of Klan Kosova. In this special concert, the nightingale of the Albanian song, Nexhmije Pagarusha sang accompanied by the sounds of the music played by violin master Shkëlzen Doli.
Speech of Prime Minister Edi Rama:
It is a special emotion. In fact I tried to avoid delivering a speech here, but I was impossible. Baton insisted and I thank him because it is an honour that truly moves me.
I remember when I visited for the first time this territory, and when Baton used to tell me about the idea of establishing here a centre of culture, with a new theatre, a new art gallery and other facilities, it seemed too good to be true.
Today this is partially true because it is already worth to ask Baton to open also the art gallery as soon as possible. Meanwhile, this theatre is really fantastic. It only lacks a garlic because it is sure that it will receive an evil eye, if you don’t put any. Moreover, there is everything. There are bricks, there are birches, so garlic fits very well.
I compliment you on this work done with a lot of grace, and I wish with all my heart that this will really be a new theatre also in terms of what it will bring to the cultural life of Pristina and Tirana, of Kosovo and Albania, as a space where I wish that the territories and the languages of the Balkan could be intertwined with the major European languages, in an environment where people will feel at a crossroads where they will share beautiful things beyond their languages, nations and states.
It is never enough for someone who, aiming to be something more in the future, refers to the past saying: “however, it does not compare with where we were and where we are.” And it is not very far the time when Baton was grabbed by his arms, along with other journalists in the office of “Koha Javore”, and then “Koha Ditore”, and as he said “they would beat us up”. At a time when nobody imagined that a day would come for Kosovo to be free and independent, and Baton himself had neither imagined that a day would come for him to open a new theatre right in the centre of Pristina, on the 9th anniversary of Kosovo’s Independence.
But it happened!
Of course, this is not a reason not to ask for more, but it is also a moment to say how many beautiful and extraordinary things have happened in a period that is within a portion of a single lifetime, while whole generations have spent a lifetime in the monotony of the impossibility of being free, the inability to be part of a society not under occupation, but in the impetus to look ahead.
I am convinced that we are lucky because we happened to live in this time of such radical changes. I’m also convinced that for many reasons, some of which we may know while some other we never will, this is a beautiful time for the Albanians. And I believe it will continue to be such for some other time.
Therefore, it is up to us to do the best, by being inspired by these extraordinary examples, like the example of this new theatre. So, my best wishes on your new theatre, which I hope will be a space where as many people will come and thank all those who contributed to these beautiful times for the Albanians. Many thanks also to Shkëlzen [Doli] who, instead of playing his violin, patiently listened all these minutes to my not at all melodious voice.
Many thanks!
