At the commemorative ceremony on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Haraçina and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Municipality of Haraçina, the Ambassador of Albania to North Macedonia, Denion Meidani, delivered a speech in which he praised the sacrifice of the martyrs, the contribution of veterans and the importance of preserving historical memory.

In the presence of the families of martyrs, veterans, local leaders and citizens, Meidani stated that these two anniversaries represent a single story - that of the endurance, sacrifice and dignity of Albanians.

He emphasized that the institutions and rights acquired did not come by chance, but were built on the dedication and sacrifice of generations who believed in freedom, equality, and national dignity.

“There are moments in a nation's history when time stands still and history asks only one question: 'Where were you when the nation needed you?' And history remembers the answer,” the ambassador said.

He honored martyrs and veterans, as well as their families, emphasizing that a people that forgets those who sacrificed for them risks losing self-respect.

"Freedom without memory turns into comfort without dignity, while dignity is a nation's greatest asset," he declared.

Full word:

Dear families of the martyrs,

Dear veterans,

Dear Mayor,

Dear citizens of Haračina,

Dear friends,

Today we are gathered to honor a story.

A story of sacrifice.

A story of resistance.

A story of dignity.

30 years since the establishment of the Municipality of Haraçina.

25 years since the Glorious Battle of Haracina.

Two different dates.

But a single story.

The institutions we have today did not arise by chance.

They were built on the sacrifice of those who believed that this people deserved freedom, dignity, and equality.

There are moments in a nation's history when time stops and history asks only one question:

Where were you when the nation needed you?

And history remembers the answer.

Nations are not built on comfort.

They are not built in warm offices.

They are not built on empty words.

Nations are built on sacrifice.

On sleepless nights.

In the cold mountains.

A generation rose up when rising up had a price.

A generation looked the danger in the eye and did not retreat.

A generation didn't ask if freedom was easy.

He only asked if it was necessary.

That generation became the National Liberation Army.

The voice of a people who refused to live in servitude.

Who refused to accept submission as fate.

There are peoples who surrender to history.

And there are peoples who rise above it.

The Albanians of Haraçina chose to rise up.

And we, today, respectfully remember their rise,

We remember the martyrs.

We honor veterans.

And we bow before the families who bore the heaviest burden of sacrifice.

A people that forgets those who sacrificed for them begins to lose respect for themselves.

Freedom without memory turns into comfort without dignity.

And dignity is a nation's greatest asset.

Our veterans represent much more than a war chapter.

They represent character.

Discipline.

Loyalty.

Responsibility.

And the belief that freedom is not given.

She is protected.

Dear friends,

Today the battle has changed shape.

But not responsibility.

Today the battle is for institutions that do not bend.

For equality that is not negotiable.

For an identity that doesn't require permission to exist.

For a language that does not demand tolerance, but respect.

A nation does not survive on laws and institutions alone.

A nation needs character.

For people who know sacrifice.

For people who understand that responsibility is not a privilege, but an obligation.

And for this very reason, our nation still needs you.

Not in the trenches.

But in the daily battles for dignity, justice and responsibility.

It needs your example.

For your character.

For your memory.

Today, Haraçina has reason to be proud not only of its past, but also of the successes it continues to achieve.

Let me also congratulate Shkëndija for their historic success and qualification for the first round of the Champions League. This success reminds us that when there is vision, discipline and teamwork, results are not lacking.

Eternal glory to the martyrs of the Battle of Haracina.

Honoring veterans.

Congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the Municipality of Haraçina.

May Haraçina always be prosperous,

symbol of Albanian resistance, dignity and pride!