At the UT was held the 5th Scientific Symposium “Gjurmë në kohë”

The Association for Culture and Science Ars Albanica, in cooperation with the University of Tetova, organized the 5th edition of the Scientific Symposium “Gjurmë në kohë” – (Trail in Time) on May 20, 2024. This year’s symposium was dedicated to the portrait of the Albanologist Fadil Sulejmani, the founder and the first historical Rector of the University of Tetova.

The President of the Association for Culture and Science “Ars Albanica”, Prof. Dr. Zeqirja Rexhepi, stated that this symposium commemorates the scientific and scholarly contributions of the Albanologist Fadil Sulejmani, whose personality embodies multidimensional values. “I would like to express my gratitude to the distinguished professors who responded to our invitation to highlight the academic importance of Fadil Sulejmani’s work. Special recognition goes to Professor Haxhere, the wife of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani. I also extend special thanks to the leadership of the University of Tetova for their support of Albanian culture”, said the Prof. Dr. Zeqirija Rexhepi.”

Rector of the University of Tetova Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli in his speech addressed to those present at this symposium emphasized that Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani remains the greatest inspiration for all generations, thanks to his courage, knowledge, and determination to found the University of Tetova as the first institution of higher education for the Albanians of these lands. We honor and respect the life, work, and ideals of our first Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, and we are committed to fulfilling his legacy for the development of this university, striving to elevate it to the ranks of the best universities in the region and the world.

The symposium dedicated to the portrait of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani was honored by his wife Prof. Dr. Haxhere Sulejmani. She evoked memories from the activity of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani: Fadil was tireless. Even before the foundation of UT, he was engaged in writing and works in the field of Albanian studies. His dream was for Macedonian Albanians to have their own university. That’s why he decided to start working on the foundation of an Albanian university. He was very determined in his work and experienced the most difficult moments of his life during the foundation of this university, both before and after legalization. However, he always said, “I have never regretted building this temple of knowledge, and if I could go back in time, I would still have done the same. He was very happy that Albanians had the opportunity to learn in the Albanian language”.

The President of the Senate of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, stated: “I have spoken and written extensively about the figure and work of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, the historical Rector of the University of Tetova. Undoubtedly, he stands as the last Renaissance figure, with his academic contributions and his historical masterpiece – the University of Tetova, proving to be not only our guiding compass in our mission, but also a moral and cultural authority. His epic statement, “We want the pencil and the notebook, we don’t want violence!” is known to all today. Motivated by this statement and by the conviction that the University is not a NAME, but a VERB, I embarked on several initiatives: after being awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in 2012; after the establishment of the museum in Poroj the same year; after organizing the scientific conference and publishing a magazine dedicated to Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani in 2014; after renaming the University of Tetova in honor of its founder and historical Rector “Fadil Sulejmani” and erecting a statue in 2019; and after the publication of the Monograph in 2021, where historical truths were finally revealed. I thought that the crowning of this whole mosaic was the establishment of the “Fadil Sulejmani” National Foundation and Award, therefore, in the year of historical turning points, with the unwavering support of the Senate of the University of Tetova, we made two important decisions: the establishment of the Foundation and the National Award bearing his name, given for the first time to figures with exceptional national merit and above all to people who, more than anyone else, through their activities, kept the national consciousness alive”. – said Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.

He also emphasized that Fadil Sulejmani, in addition to being our guiding compass, our orientation vector, our moral anchor, and our living memory, serves as a guide for every student who entrusts their dreams to this esteemed institution. The figure of Fadil Sulejmani serves as a testament to the fact that even small nations produce great individuals and are capable of creating universal values. Without a doubt, this serves as a reminder to all of us that good deeds, though significant, are but drops in the infinite ocean of noble endeavors.

At the end of his speech at this symposium, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti said that in the coming years and decades, future generations will sit as we are sitting today, and future researchers will study and produce dissertations, books, articles, writings, columns, evaluations, documentaries, and biographies about all the figures who dedicated themselves to this cause, especially about the Martin Luther King of the Albanians, as American Congressman Joseph DioGardi referred to Professor Fadil Sulejmani.

In this symposium, were discussed these scientific studies: “Biography of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani” as well as “Portrait of Arbëresh Lekë Matrënga in the spectrum of the researcher Fadil Sulejmani” by Prof. Dr. Zejnepe Alili – Rexhepi; “Fadil Sulejmani, researcher, lecturer and missionary” by Prof. Dr. Salajdin Salihu; “The contribution of Fadil Sulejmani to the cultivation of ethno-cultural values in the villages of the Sharri Mountains” by Prof. Dr. Vebi Bexheti; “Fadil Sulejmani for culture and language norm” by Prof. Dr. Berton Sulejmani; “The creative values of Fadil Sulejmani for the language, culture and traditions of the Sharr Highlands” and “Reading the fragment from the work of Fadil Sulejmani” by MA. Kaltrina Sadiki – Memeti.

At this scientific symposium, the Association “Ars Albanica” were bestowed gratitude and a plaque in honor of the great work of the Albanologist Fadil Sulejmani. The plaque was accepted by his wife, Prof. Dr. Haxhere Sulejmani. Additionally, gratitude and plaques were bestowed to the Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, and the President of the Senate, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, for their continuous support in the affirmation of Albanian culture.