The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated today in Llap, on January 31, 2026, in the homage and memorial academy dedicated to the martyrs Zahir Pajaziti, Hakif Zejnullahu and Edmond Hoxha, on the 29th anniversary of their fall.
In his speech, Kurti said that for 29 years now, the last day of January has been reserved for the commemoration of Zahir Pajaziti and his friends, describing this tradition as now institutionalized and of particular importance for the collective memory of Kosovo.
He emphasized that this year the commemoration is being held in Podujeva, while next year, on the 30th anniversary, the martyrs will be honored in Pristina, under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo.
Kurti recalled that on January 31, 1997, Zahir Pajaziti, Hakif Zejnullahu and Edmond Hoxha fell, underlining that they represent an entire generation that gave meaning to the political and armed effort for the liberation of Kosovo.
According to him, throughout the 20th century, Albanians have followed two paths to freedom: political engagement and armed uprising, paths that were crowned with the KLA’s liberation war.
The Prime Minister placed special emphasis on the role of the Llapi Zone, which, according to him, gave Kosovo one of the most organized groups of the Kosovo Liberation Army – the group of Zahir Pajaziti and his friends – which later became the Llapi Operational Zone.
He also mentioned the contribution of many fellow fighters, emphasizing that today the obligation to tell the story of the war and the sacrifice for freedom also belongs to those who survived.
Finally, Kurti said that cultivating the tradition of commemorating martyrs is key to understanding the path of the state and the future of generations, concluding his speech with the call:
“Glory to Zahir Pajaziti, Hakif Zejnullah and Edmond Hoxha, as well as glory to all the martyrs and martyrs who fell for the freedom of Kosovo.” /Telegrafi/