Balkans | Painting titled “Reinterpreting the Independence Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy” in Albania

Within the framework of the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and Turkey, a panel discussion on “Re-understanding the independence poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy” was held in Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Representatives of Turkish institutions and organizations in the country, academics, researchers and students from Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia participated in the session organized by the Center for Balkan Studies within the scope of the University of Tirana New York (UNYT) of the Turkish Knowledge Foundation. .

The session began with a minute of silence for those who lost their lives in the earthquakes that occurred in Kahramanmaraş on February 6.

In his speech, the Turkish ambassador to Tirana, Pilot Kajan Atay, reminded of the earthquakes that struck Turkey and expressed the following opinions:

“Our Albanian brothers, the Albanian government fully sympathizes with us. Search and rescue teams from the Albanian Ministry of Defense set off immediately. The Albanian government declared national mourning. People commemorated their Turkish brothers and those who lost their lives by lighting candles in their homes and in the squares. Financial and material aid was sent to Turkey “.

Emphasizing that the Turks and Albanians are two great nations that have walked hand in hand and united in destiny for centuries, Atay continued as follows:

In my capacity as the Ambassador of Turkey, I am very pleased to commemorate the memory of our ethnic Albanian national poet, Mehmet Akif, in Albania. In this year and in 2023, we will celebrate a very important holiday for our Republic and we will also celebrate the diplomatic relations, i.e. the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Albania and the Republic of Turkey. On December 15, 1923, the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Eternal Cooperation. Its centenary this year will be on December 15th. “

“Muhammad Akif is very important to us and the Albanian world”

Director of the Center for Balkan Studies at UNYT, Assoc. doctor. Lindita Xhanari Latifi said they gathered to commemorate the multidimensional and very special person who was and continues to attract the attention of researchers.

Latifi said: “This person is one of the most important in Turkish literature, and he is a person who arouses different respects in everyone with his strong personality and difficulties. Because Mehmet Akif Ersoy is the author of the nation’s national anthem.” He said.

UNYT President Prof. doctor. Erkan Erdemir said: “Mehmet Akif Ersoy is very important to us and the Albanian world. That is why, as the Center for Balkan Studies, we are very happy to host such an event.” Use phrases.

Within the scope of the commission, Director of the Center for Balkan Studies Latifi, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of UNYT. Ilir Kalimaj, North Macedonian poet Leila Sharif Amin, and Kosovo historian Shacivar Kabbashi submitted papers.

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