After being launched in Tirana, the “Kombiar Calendar”, the major contribution of the National Albanian Renaissance, is republished for researchers and readers in Pristina. The inauguration meeting of this journal, written over several years by a group of eminent intellectuals of this period such as, Kristo Luarasi, Kosta Jani Trebicka, Shahin Kolonja and Mit’hat Frashëri as editor in chief. The meeting took place on March 29, 2018, and was organized as a scientific conference per se, wherein many speeches and papers were delivered by researchers of different fields, chiefly of historical and philological areas, and also by the Albanological Institute of Pristina, headed by Prof. Dr. Hysen Matoshi, including the publishing institution, namely “ALSAR” Foundation, headed by Mr. Mehdi Gurra in the role of the event organizer and moderator, whilst the meeting was opened by Prof. Dr. Hysen Matoshi.
The first speech was delivered by the academician Rexhep Qosja, who harped on the great importance that the “Kombiar Calendar” journal had in enlightening the national consciousness for one of the most arduous and glorious periods to the Albanian people, as the National Albanian Renaissance was.
“By publishing the “Kombiar Calendar” in four volumes, you are launching a great work which has grown, ameliorated and enriched the: national consciousness, knowledge, arts, literature, culture, the Albanian civilization and foremostly its cultural ties with many other peoples,” elaborated further the academician Rexhep Qosja. Hence, you have published and you are launching a great work, that is recalling to our dim memory, especially during the last two decades, the name of its first publisher, Kristo Luarasi, its second Publisher, Mit’hat Frashëri, and the name of a number of other political, social, literary, and national activists, who often forgot to take care of themselves by dedicating their entire life to their Nation and their Country, though within the ethnic boundaries,” concluded his speech the honorable professor Qosja.
Prof. Dr. Seit Mansaku spoke further on the work, who focused on the meticulousness that the publishers of “Kombiar Calendar” had had, not only regarding its content, but also its linguistic aspect, by becoming an example of the endeavors to spread the Albanian language, a factor which was of supreme importance to the National Renaissance.
Prof. Dr. Shefkije Islamaj speech centered around the wide scope of the “Kombiar Calendar” announcements that aimed at the Albanian’s cultural and scientific awakening through the Albanian language. Whilst Prof. Dr. Genci Luarasi centered his speech on the journal’s table of contents and the events’ chronology, being depicted in the “Kombiar Calendar” since its first year of publication until 1928.
Last but not the least, the Head of the “ALSAR” Foundation, Mr. Mehdi Gurra, delivered a special speech on the journal’s importance and the impetus that made the Foundation’s board to select and precisely republish this work for Albanian researchers and readers, as a gift in the framework of the 105th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Albania.
“The republication of the “Kombiar Calendar” is wonderful news for the Albanian history and culture, because it recalls the glorious atmosphere of the Albanian National Renaissance period, the struggles of the Albanian patriots, who used to see the war for liberty and independence in the enlightenment of the Albanians’ minds, for knowledge and discoveries throughout the world to be articulated in the Albanian language, and for Albanians to have a national identity and clothing,” concluded Mr. Gurra.
