Today, the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tetova opened the photography exhibition under the motto: “Tetova in the Memory of Time”. This exhibition reflects early views of the city of Tetova, cultural and educational landmarks, Albanian schools, well-known personalities, as well as teachers and figures of national education. The photographs for this exhibition were provided by a supporter of Albanian education, Mr. Ferhan Jakupi – Mertol, who in 1957, at the age of 16, was forced to relocate to Turkey with his family, like many other Albanians at the time.
The Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, in his speech stated that the University of Tetova, within the framework of its activities, values and respects, in particular, those personalities who, for decades and in difficult times, made their most valuable contributions to the education of generations and, more broadly, to the common good.
“Since we are in the November celebrations, on this occasion, today, we open, proclaim, and present to citizens, students, and our staff a special exhibition dedicated to those who sacrificed the most for development and the common good — namely, our educators and teachers, who under difficult and harsh conditions cultivated and preserved the Albanian identity, alphabet, and language. Thanks to their dedication, education, and work, today we also develop higher education in the Albanian language at an institution that achieves success and prepares professionals who carry out their work in many institutions. At the same time, alongside what we present within our mission and the role of our teachers and educators, the exhibition also showcases the buildings and schools which, although old in structure, were full of vision and mission. Thanks to them, today we carry out our activities in this sacred temple, the University of Tetova,” said the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli.
The Professor of the Department of History at the Faculty of Philosophy, Prof. Dr. Zeqirja Rexhepi, in his keynote speech, stated that the main purpose of the exhibition is to acquaint today’s generation with the educational developments of the past, the personalities of Albanian education and culture in Tetova and beyond, the old buildings of Albanian schools and other institutions—an exhibition aimed at recalling and appreciating Tetova’s cultural heritage.
“In this context, a total of 80 photographs have been displayed, depicting the period of the Albanian National Renaissance, the period from World War II when Albanian schools in Tetova were opened for the first time with teachers sent by the Ministry of Education of Albania (during the time of Ernest Koliqi – Minister of Education), as well as photographs from the post-World War II period, when Albanian schools continued their educational and academic activities in Tetova. The exhibition presents educational events, starting from the revivalists of the time—well-known personalities, photographic documents of the first primers and evidence of the Albanian Alphabet, school objects, portraits of teachers (individual and group photos), as well as photographs of student classrooms during certain historical periods. These play a very important role, serving as a “visual” documentary record and testimony of cultural processes. The photographs generally create unforgettable impressions, providing a visual description of a time belonging to the archives of our past.
Even today, seeing them, we remember the first Tetova teachers together with teachers who came from different Albanian regions, carrying the mission of education and instruction, as well as other intellectuals of the time. The exhibition “Tetova in the Memory of Time” contains photographs that can be seen for the first time by the citizens of Tetova and other interested parties, especially the younger generation, who have the responsibility to know and preserve this cultural treasure of Tetova, where education in the mother tongue for Albanians in North Macedonia began—a process that continued until the founding of the Albanian-language University in Tetova, as an educational center for all Albanians,” said Prof. Dr. Zeqirja Rexhepi.
Ferhan Jakupi – Mertol created his personal collection with a large number of photographs, archiving in a factual form a significant portion of the personalities and events of the time. The reason that motivated him to collect these photographs, besides the nostalgia that every Albanian feels for their homeland, was also the high awareness of an intellectual with patriotic education. This photography exhibition will remain open until November 28, 2025, thus allowing free visits for all art enthusiasts, intellectuals, and citizens who wish to learn about this important part of Tetova’s culture—the process of educating generations, which has always been seen as a way to awaken national consciousness among Albanians.
