In the squares of Pristina, every day, from 12:00 to 14:00, a group of 12 pensioners meet for coffee.
Among them is Zeqir Buzuku, 75 years old, who, after 42 years of work at the Regional Water Company, has been enjoying retirement with his friends for a decade now.
He is from Kamenica, but has lived in Pristina for 70 years.
Buzuku says that retirement has united him with a close group of friends, and he spends most of his time with them.
“Some people take retirement with a pinch of salt, but I suggest to others that they prepare themselves a little before retirement. It is something natural, a person is born, grows up, works and finally retires. We must be ready, so that when we retire, we do not ask ourselves: ‘What did I do?’ When we retired, I joined this company, which has been inseparable for 10 years now. We go out, drink coffee, talk about different topics: politics, sports, culture and so on. Our days pass very easily. I prefer all retirees not to stay home alone, because the biggest evil is when a retiree stays alone inside. Those who go out and have company feel renewed. We have a problem – our pensions are small, but our children and family help us. For years, we have sometimes had difficulties, but we feel good,” says Buzuku.
Another member of the group, Pashk Desku, a former professor of physics and technology from Gllogjan, found this company after the death of his wife and after arriving in Pristina.
He is 73 years old, but says he feels well and healthy, thanks to his family and this company.
“When I came to Pristina, I first met Smail Kosomu, whom I knew from my studies. Later, in the squares of Pristina, I met Ibrahim Abazi, Zeqer and others. There are 12 of us in this society. As Zeqir said, we meet every day from 12:00 to 14:00. It is a great pleasure and privilege to reach retirement. Those who have reached retirement should enjoy it. Of course, every person has something they are missing, but we should enjoy retirement, it is something natural,” Desku declares.
For these retirees, companionship is more than a routine – it is a form of mutual respect, including the religious aspect.
A special characteristic of the 12 friends is that they come from different regions of Kosovo. They also celebrate birthdays together, a total of 12 holidays a year, where they treat each other to lunch.
“I am the only Catholic Albanian from this social group. We have no problems in terms of religion. We have many holidays, but usually when I am with my friends, I treat them to coffee. I told them that for Eid, they should treat me for 10 days. I can treat 10 coffees at once, but I will only take two or three coffees from them. We have a group on Facebook, where I inform my friends about retirement, Ramadan and other things. There is something interesting, that every year we celebrate 12 birthdays. On someone’s birthday, we drink coffee and have lunch together”, adds Desku.
According to Zeqir Buzuku and Pashk Desku, retirement is a new beginning when work is replaced with dedication to family and friendship.
Beyond coffee and conversations, this company also enjoys joint trips to the Albanian coast, and various cities within and outside the country.