Ditmir Bushati: Forgetting Luigj Gurakuqi is forgetting history
2025-03-03 19:30:13
TiranaPost
Yesterday marked the 100th anniversary of the murder of Luigi Gurakuqi, an anniversary forgotten.
Ditmir Bushati brings to attention a detailed analysis of the importance of the historical figure and what could have been done on March 2 yesterday.
Bushati's writing:
A few days ago, the Historical Museum of Shkodra exhibited some of Luigj Gurakuqi's personal objects as well as part of his correspondence, inherited from the Museum House, which collapsed in 2005, due to lack of interest from local and central structures and conflicts over ownership. Meanwhile, the Municipality of Bari and the University of Bari organized a commemorative ceremony 100 years after his murder.
Yesterday marked 100 years since the assassination of Luigj Gurakuqi, one of the most prominent personalities of our national, educational and cultural movement at the end of the National Renaissance period and the beginnings of Independence.
Can this anniversary go unnoticed, considering the irreplaceable role of Luigj Gurakuqi in the national cause, in the field of knowledge and education?
Imagine a nationwide year of knowledge in 2025 that would bear his name and that would simultaneously serve to define some long-term objectives for our national education, bringing together Albanian scholars wherever they live. Imagine, on this occasion, a synchronization of the governments of Albania and Kosovo for knowledge and education wherever Albanian is taught.
Imagine if, on this 100th anniversary of the passing of Luigj Gurakuqi, the Ministry of Education and Sports undertook educational and scientific initiatives and activities in various disciplines, or awarded scholarships to students and researchers in honor of his name and work.
Imagine if the Municipality of Shkodra, which is fortunate due to the large number of national personalities originating from Shkodra, organized meetings and debates throughout the year with the participation of various historians and researchers, where high school students would be given the opportunity to get to know the life and work of Luigj Gurakuqi more closely, or supported the competition for the best essay with their participation. A practice that the Italians, French or Germans have been doing for years in respect for their history, but also to support critical thinking, which is shaped in schools.
Imagine if central and local structures, starting from the bitter experience with the Luigj Gurakuqi House Museum, undertook a program to rescue and revitalize all houses of historical value in Shkodër, turning them into meeting points with history.
Imagine if "Luigj Gurakuqi" University, a century after the passing of Luigj Gurakuqi, were to critically present its activities to date through a strategic document, as well as its vision and objectives for the next ten, twenty or thirty years, and where it aims to be among Albanian and European universities.
Forgetting Luigj Gurakuqi is forgetting history. We need to know, appreciate and respect ourselves and our history more. History is not simply the lesson of the past, but the key to facing the challenges of the present. Therefore, we need a national policy that treats the nation's luminaries with special care, inheriting the most valuable experience to the new generation, which must cultivate love and devotion to the homeland.
