Written by: Florim Zeqa
The "Azem Shkreli" Library, in collaboration with the Association of Literary Creators, organized a special literary event in honor of the Liberation Day of Peja.
Peja celebrated liberation day
On Friday, June 13, 2025, at the "Azem Shkreli" Library, under the patronage of the director Mrs. Shengyl Kelmendi Gashi, a Literary Hour with young creators was held to honor Kosovo Liberation Day and June 16 - Liberation Day of the Municipality of Peja.
Verses full of emotions and national pride
Poets, writers and talented young people from the Peja region participated in this activity. Initially, the moderator of this literary hour, the director of the “Azem Shkreli” Regional Library in Peja, Professor Shengyl Kelmendi Gashi, greeted all the participants in this cultural activity, welcoming them to this activity filled with feelings of pride in honor of the liberation day of the city of Peja, a day that marked the end of a painful period and the beginning of a new era of hope and state-building.
The verses of well-known poets, participants of this literary hour, were preceded by poems by students of primary schools in Peja, which had a competitive character.
In this literary activity, through authorially written verses and recited at a high artistic level by the students, they brought deep emotions and spiritual feelings to the participants of the Literary Hour, through which the sacrifice of many generations that brought freedom to our country was commemorated.
Young people are the voice of hope and the most powerful guarantee of the future that is being built with dedication and love for the Republic of Kosovo.
The professional jury, composed of distinguished creators of the Association of Young Creators, carefully evaluated each text and performance of the students participating in this poetry competition.
After a professional evaluation and literary criteria, the three-member Jury: Nagjije Kastrati, Rrustem Gërguri and Rijad Berisha announced the winners of this literary competition as follows:
First Prize: Ema Nikqi – “Xhemal Kada” Primary School
Second Prize: Kelmend Selimaj – “Vaso Pashë Shkodrani” Primary School
Third Prize: Freska Kaliqani – “8 Marsi” Primary School
In reality, all the young creators who participated in this literary competition were true winners, who represent hope for a rapid cultural and artistic development in the municipality of Peja and Kosovo as a whole!
At the end of this activity, recognition was given to the authors who have contributed with valuable creativity to the enrichment of our literary and cultural fund of the "Azem Shkreli" Library in Peja: Besim Perjuci, Osman Shala, Riza Dreshaj, Rrustem Gërguri, Jakup Kaspolli, Naxhije Kastrati, Kumrije Shala, Arbënesha Kelmendi Draga, Ajete Pavataj, Suhejla Agaj, Esat Loshaj, Rexhep Dedushaj, Rijad Berisha, Sherif Krasniqi, Ramush Nikçi, Agim Deva, Marigona Zekaj Kelmendi, Prend Buzhala.
The special guest of this cultural event was the publicist Florim Zeqa, temporarily residing in Italy, who on this occasion presented his poem "Dreams for the Homeland" and enriched the library's collection with his literary creations.
Meanwhile, as the jury prepared its decision, the golden pens of literary creativity, the poets present at this cultural activity, were invited to share with the public verses dedicated to freedom and country, bringing emotions, experiences, and national tributes to the glorious past of our people.
This literary hour was proof that the artistic word can become a bridge between generations, sowing memory and inspiration, hope and love for the homeland.
The Azem Shkreli Library on Friday became an arena of inspiration for the youth and a moment of nostalgia for veteran creators who evoked memories of the difficult but proud times of paving the path of freedom for the younger generations. Meanwhile, the young creators gave us deep emotions with their words and artistic expressions, which revived the painful memories and sacrifices of the years of our national pride.
The poems, essays, and stories prepared by the students were so moving that they brought tears of emotion to our eyes. Their poems were beautiful and powerful, filled with emotion and love for our country.
Without a doubt, this success of the students is the fruit of the work of teachers and pedagogues, who have guided the students towards the development of creative and artistic talent. This literary meeting reinforces my conviction that our youth will be wise guardians of the defense of the freedom and independence of our state.
We must write history accurately and with composure to inform future generations about the heroic struggle of the KLA and the unsparing assistance of NATO troops, led by the USA, which helped us enjoy the freedom and independence of our country.
This cultural activity was of particular importance to us young poets, writers, historians and journalists. Most importantly, such activities distance students from the negative phenomena that have unfortunately become an ugly phenomenon in Kosovo 26 years after liberation!
