Day Of Albanians
The Day of Albanians is a holiday observed in Kosovo on the 28th of November. This controversial day was established as a holiday by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj in 2017 to give Albanians a day to honor their cultural and historical values and to adhere to family and social traditions.
Kosovo (Observance)This holiday is controversial because, while Kosovo has declared independence from Serbia, Serbia does not recognize that decision as legitimate. Serbia has accused both Kosovo and Albania of trying to create a Greater Albania, although these claims have been thoroughly denied. Even though this day is a public holiday, it is not a non-working day, and most businesses maintain their normal business hours.
The History of the Day of Albanians
In 1998, an international crisis began when an ethnic Albanian-led secessionist rebellion escalated out of control, resulting in the air bombardment of Yugoslavia in 1999. When peace was restored, Kosovo was then administered by the United Nations Interim Administrative Mission in Kosovo.
During this period, Serbia continued to regard Kosovo as part of its territory, but Kosovo moved towards becoming an independent country under UN supervision. In 2008, Kosovo officially declared its independence from Serbia.
Soon after, Albanians across Kosovo began to celebrate November 28th as a holiday. That is the day when Albania declared its independence in 1912. Although Kosovo had its own flag at this time, many Albanians continued to fly the traditional Albanian flag as they felt it represented their cultural and historical heritage better.
In 2017, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj declared November 28th as the Day of Albanians to give all Albanians a holiday on which they can honor their history, social traditions, family values, and cultural traditions.
Observing the Day of Albanians
This holiday is usually observed with the flying of both the Albanian flag and the flag of Kosovo. Although it is not a holiday on which government offices, schools, and businesses are closed, and it is not a day when people have the day off, it is still observed by Albanians not only in Kosovo but across the world.
Kosovo (Observance)
