At the ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Party, opposition leader Sali Berisha recalled the early years when Edi Rama, then a lecturer at the Academy of Arts, joined the first political force after the fall of the communist system.

"It's a story from 35 years ago that best shows what an extraordinary party we are."

I will share it with you, to remind you of the values ​​and ideals that have made the DP the most successful historical force to lead and the most steadfast opposition force that Europe has ever seen.

Many young people joined us at that time, among them a 27-year-old boy from the University of Arts, and no one would have thought that this boy would become the misfortune of the Albanian nation for centuries. This boy was Edvin Rama, he could not resist even a few hours in the DP.

"This is the strength of the DP, the democrats have an unerring instinct to recognize good and evil," Berisha said during his speech on the anniversary of the DP.

Further, he recalled names of people who have contributed to the DP, from Azem Hajdari, Pjetër Arbnori, Ali Spahia, Bujar Nishani, Sokol Olldashi, Gerti Bogdani.

"We are the first political force in former communist Europe to seek NATO membership.

"We are the party that restored the religious beliefs of Albanians," said Berisha.

Part of Berisha's speech

Dear citizens present tonight at this meeting, but also wherever you are.
Honorable democrats present here, in Albania and abroad.
Honorable leaders, deputies, local government officials, advisors of the Democratic Party.
Dear presidents, leaders of the allied political forces of the Democratic Party.
Dear leaders of the Democratic Party forums, the women's forum and the youth forum. Greetings and warmest congratulations on the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Party, the most extraordinary party.
The greatest respect for the courage, contribution, and rivers of sacrifice of hundreds and thousands of democrats and our supporters over these 35 years.
Unlimited respect and gratitude for the immortal work of the tribune of freedom, the founder and first leader of the Democratic Party, Azem Hajdari. Azem, you are alive!
Special and great honor for the work and contribution of the distinguished founder of the Democratic Party, the well-known intellectual, the immortal Gramoz Pashko.
We bow with deep respect to the contribution and immortal work of the founders and leaders of the Democratic Party, the Mandela of Europe, the former Speaker of Parliament, Pjetër Arbnori.
To the undefeated resister and great intellectual, the main leader of the Democratic Party and its majority group in parliament, Ali Spahia.
To the prominent personality of the Democratic Party, the statesman who brought so much honor to the state and the presidency, Bujar Nishani.
To the brilliant minister of the Democratic Party and its youth leader, Sokol Olldashi. To the talented youth leader of the Democratic Party, Genti Bogdani.
And dozens and dozens of leaders, deputies, central and local government officials of this party who are no more. Their memory, their work, their legacy is and will remain our pride and that of the democrats at all times.

We are one of the few parties on this planet that have divided eras and made history since the first day of our founding.
For example, we are, we are a party that on the first day of our existence gave Albania the most precious gift of the century, after the country's independence, political pluralism. In other words, we gave it freedom.
We are the party that was founded as a party in the country of freedoms and human rights prohibited by the constitution.
As the political force of the Western vocation of the Albanian nation and at the same time, the first political force in former communist Europe, which sought Albania's membership in NATO since its founding.
We are the party of the national interest, of the Albanians, who declared in our founding the national issue as our polar star.
Never have Albanians, never has Albania had a more invincible advocate of its interests and Albanians a more stalwart defender of their freedoms than the Democratic Party.
We are the party that restored the religious beliefs of Albanians in the world's first atheist state. We are the party that, after less than a year of its foundation, managed to overthrow the last communist dictatorship, but also the most unique in Europe.
We are a party that gave Albania the most beautiful dream of our renaissance people, that gave Albanians the strength to overcome 45 years of oppression.
This dream was articulated by the liberating students: We love Albania like all of Europe. Albania in Europe.
This was the era we opened with the founding of the Democratic Party and political pluralism in Albania.