On the Fifth of May, Albania annually honors the memory of those who gave their lives for the country’s liberation during World War II, as well as the anniversary of Qemal Stafa’s death, one of the founding members of the Communist Party and part of the resistance groups of the Albanian National Liberation Movement.
In a Facebook status, posted along with a picture of the Qemal Stafa, President Ilir Meta said that “today marks the day of thousands of young men and women that gave their lives for Albania’s freedom”. The President emphasized that their memory deserves “respect and gratitude”.
Prime Minister Edi Rama posted a picture of “Mother Albania” statue found at the National Martyr’s Cemetery in Tirana, captioning it “Eternal respect”.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Assembly Gramoz Ruçi expressed his appreciation to those who fell for the Albanian state and mentioned that the “martyr’s status” now also includes those citizens who died on duty, natural disasters, democratic rallies or on a NATO military mission.
Political leaders commemorate Martyr’s Day
On the fifth of May, Albania annually honors the memory of those who gave their life for the country’s liberation during World War II, as well as the anniversary of Qemal Stafa’s death, one of the founding members of the Communist Party and part of the resistance groups of the Albanian National Liberation Movement.
In a Facebook status, posted along with a picture of the Qemal Stafa, President Ilir Meta said that “today marks the day of thousands of young men and women that gave their lives for Albania’s freedom”. The President emphasized that their memory deserves “respect and gratitude”.
Prime Minister Edi Rama posted a picture of “Mother Albania” statue found at the National Martyr’s Cemetery in Tirana, captioning it “Eternal respect”.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Assembly Gramoz Ruçi expressed his appreciation to those who fell for the Albanian state and mentioned that the “martyr’s status” now also includes those citizens who died on duty, natural disasters, democratic rallies, or on a NATO military mission.
Several facilitations are attributed thanks to the status, such as financial compensation for relatives.
Albania has around 28.000 martyrs from the National Liberation War, a figure that has been contested and deemed too high after the fall of the Communist regime.
