Adem Demaçi, a symbol of the struggle for freedom and independence among the compatriots of Kosovo, was born on February 26, 1936, in Pristina.

The General Directorate of Archives in Albania recalls that Demaçi’s patriotic activity, in the name of national resistance, is unparalleled. Demaçi fearlessly denounced the injustices inflicted by the Serbian regime on the Albanian population of Kosovo. In 1958, he published his novel titled “The Snakes of Blood” in two issues of the literary magazine “Jeta e re” (New Life).

Demaçi’s increasing popularity after this publication set the Yugoslav agencies in motion, preparing two exclusive scenarios: the inclusion of the writer in the regime’s structure or his punishment. In November 1958, Demaçi fell into the hands of the Police commanded by the authoritarian government of former Yugoslavia, led by Josip Broz Tito.

He suffered a three-year sentence under the accusation of political crime and hostile propaganda. For similar reasons, he would be imprisoned again in the years 1964-1974 and 1975-1990.

In 1991, he was honored by the European Parliament with the “Sakharov Prize”. During the Rambouillet negotiations, during the years ’98-’99, he served as the political spokesperson for the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

In the period from 2005 to 2007, he headed the Association of Writers of Kosovo. In 2010, as a sign of appreciation for his activity imbued with national character, he was decorated with the “Hero of Kosovo” order.

Demaçi passed away on July 26, 2018, at the age of 82.