The University of Tetovo, in honor of March 7th – Teacher’s Day (7th March 2024), awarded the national prize ‘Fadil Sulejmani’ to the first Albanian Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi, and the master of Albanian song, the artist of the people, Mr. Ilir Shaqiri.
The solemn academy dedicated to March 7 – Teacher’s Day was declared open by the UT Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Salajdin Salihi, who said that Korça’s School is regarded as the first secular school in the Albanian language, which was the fruit of the efforts of the Albanian revivalists, who worked with mind and soul to bring the nation out of the area of darkness. ‘Starting from this, after more than a century, in the homes of Tetovo residents, classrooms were opened for the first students of the University of Tetova. The Korça’s School was financially and morally supported by the Albanian population and diaspora. The same story was repeated after more than a century with the University of Tetova. The director of the first secular Albanian school was the tragic Pandeli Sotiri, while the first rector of the University of Tetova was the esteemed professor Fadil Sulejmani. The opening of the Korça’s School was opposed by the Greek Patriarchate, while the opening of the University of Tetovo was strongly opposed by the then Macedonian Government and has the martyr Abdylselam Emini. The Korca’s School was Albanian, general, secular, just like the University of Tetovo. The first school inspired other countries to open similar schools, just as our University became an inspiration for the establishment of similar educational institutions.” – said Prof. Dr. Salajdin Salihi.
In this event where numerous personalities from academic, political, intellectual, religious, and social life were present, the President of the Senate of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, in front of attendees elaborated in detail on the procedure for awarding this prize, presenting the motivation and the laureates of this award. He emphasized that an important celebration like this can be marked in many ways, but the best way is when accompanied by new ideas and initiatives that will serve education in the Albanian language and the perpetual appreciation of personalities who have left indelible marks on social life and our national memory.
This year, the University of Tetova marks Theacher’s Day with two important coronations. The Senate of the University has established the “Fadil Sulejmani” Foundation, which will be an outstretched hand for students with economic difficulties and the “Fadil Sulejmani” National Award, through which we aim to preserve the eternal memory of the historical Rector and honor the personalities with valuable contributions in the political, social, educational, cultural, scientific, artistic, philanthropic and sports spheres throughout Albania and beyond.” – said Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
He also read the motivation on which the Senate of the University of Tetovo awards the national prize ‘Fadil Sulejmani’ to the laureates, the first Albanian Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi, and the beautiful voice of Albanian music, Mr. Ilir Shaqiri. The Republic of North Macedonia, for the first time since its independence, is led by an Albanian Prime Minister, Mr. Talat Xhaferi. Beyond its unique symbolism, the choice of an Albanian Prime Minister in this state breaks an unjustifiable taboo. The Senate of the University of Tetovo awards Mr. Talat Xhaferi the National Prize ‘Fadil Sulejmani’ for his military, social, and political commitment; for his passion and love in building everlasting peace in our country; for advancing fundamental rights for all communities in the Republic of North Macedonia; for his invaluable contribution to Albanian education, science, culture, and continuous support to the University of Tetova. We express our desire for Mr. Talat Xhaferi to represent the citizens as decently as possible, regardless of ethnic origin and party affiliation.
The laureate of the national prize ‘Fadil Sulejmani’ is also Mr. Ilir Shaqiri, a distinguished figure in Albanian culture and art. The Senate of the University of Tetovo awards the national prize ‘Fadil Sulejmani’ to the singer and artist Ilir Shaqiri for cultivating and dedicating himself to Albanian music, art, and culture; for his exceptional contribution to the realization of national aspirations; for immortalizing the deeds of our heroes through art; for inspiring generations and for continuous support to the University of Tetova. We appreciate that Ilir Shaqiri’s artistic creativity is not seasonal but eternal. It is a great national treasure. In this heritage, the song for the University of Tetovo is included, which resonates like the anthem of our institution.” – this is how concluded his speech Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
After receiving the national prize ‘Fadil Sulejmani,’ the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi, addressed the audience: ‘I express my sincerest gratitude for the decision you have made to honor me with the national prize ‘Fadil Sulejmani,’ for the position of the first Albanian Prime Minister entrusted to me. Along with my gratitude, I want to assure you of one thing: I will continue to work as I have always worked, and fulfill every task entrusted to me so far: with high professionalism, unwavering dedication, and always based on and supported by the Constitution, laws, and the universal rights and obligations accepted for every human being. I am here for every individual of any ethnic, religious, cultural, social, gender, and marginalized background because I strongly believe that everyone should enjoy the same rights, but also obligations, we all should contribute to the maximum in every sphere where we work, for the benefit of all, for the good of the state, and for the full equality of all citizens in the Republic of North Macedonia.” – appreciated the Prime Minister of our country, His Excellency Mr. Talat Xhaferi.
While the other laureate, the People’s Artist Mr. Ilir Shaqiri, evoked memories of the founding of the University of Tetova in front of the audience: ‘I feel very honored to be in front of you, I feel very fortunate to belong to that generation that laid the foundations of the University in the Albanian language in Tetovo, the generation of liberators who shaped the freedom and independence of the Republic of Kosovo. To that generation that never gave up, towards the path of light, towards that path our renaissance leaders outlined for us, to finalize our common destiny, as an undivided nation among the civilized nations of Europe and the world. It was the year 1994, the intellectual and popular efforts of the Albanians in Macedonia to lay the foundations of the University in the Albanian language. The entire nation turned its eyes to Tetovo. Professor Fadil Sulejmani, along with other professors, students, and the knowledgeable people of these lands, were determined on this inevitable path. My father, asked me every day about the events in Tetovo, and I told him that the most beautiful thing that you Albanian fathers, have taught us is not gave up before anything. The seed of freedom is sown in books, our forefathers have said. During this time, even musical art would not remain silent. Together with my two friends, then students at the University of Pristina, Selami Kolonja and Bajramali Idrizi, within 3-4 days at my house, we created the song for the foundations of the University. And the song would say, ‘the Albanian bird doesn’t live without knowledge, without school, the two eagles can’t endure being touched by anyone, we will teach Naim to the child in the cradle, we will make Tetovo a University.’ Persisting verses for a right that belonged to us, for the strength of this generation that laid the foundations of the temple of knowledge!” – added Mr. Ilir Shaqiri, among other things.
It is worth noting that for the laureates of the national prize ‘Fadil Sulejmani,’ which the University of Tetova awarded to Mr. Talat Xhaferi and Mr. Ilir Shaqiri, appreciations through video messages were also conveyed by Prof. Dr. Arsim Bajrami from the Republic of Kosovo and General Kudusi Lama from the Republic of Albania.
This academy concluded with the beautiful songs of Professor at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Tetovo, artist Selami Kolonja, accompanied on the piano by Taulant Kolonja.
