Speech by President Bajram Begaj at the Statue Unveiling Ceremony of Martyr Indrit Cara
Greetings, brothers, sons of Dardania,
I am Ushtar Kavaja, the face of bravery,
Brother of Adem Jashari, descendant of Skanderbeg,
We ourselves will sew the map to our homeland.
Indeed, there are several qualities and values that distinguish us as individuals, families, and societies.
I firmly believe that homeland, honor, and duty are the qualities and values that Indrit Cara bequeathed to us. He left them to us as a society, to Albania and Kosovo, to the Albanian nation. He left them to the Cara family and especially to Indrit’s mother and his brother, Dorian.
Dear Dori,
The Cara family should feel very proud and happy today. Indrit is a symbol of inspiration for these values to all of us, to the entire Albanian society.
Distinguished family members of martyr Indrit Cara, friends, and fellow compatriots,
It’s a pleasure to be here today at this significant historical event in the city of Kavaja, and beyond.
Today, we gather to honor the memory of our nation’s distinguished son, Indrit Cara, a young man with a great spirit.
He was born in Kavaja but now belongs to Kosovo, to Albania; he belongs to all Albanians.
Indrit Cara is an example and a symbol of courage, a pure spirit of patriotism, and a heart that beat strongly for the freedom of the Albanian nation.
He is a name etched in our nation’s history, a model of inspiration showing the way for our youth: the spirit of sacrifice, the strength of unity, and the importance of acting for the good of our nation.
In December 1997, Indrit wrote: I call on all who feel even slightly Albanian to support the struggle, this spark of hope, strength, and pride, to help the Kosovo Liberation Army face the Serbian army.
He was just 28 years old when he joined the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army, fighting with determination and sacrifice.
On March 31, 1999, to protect tens of thousands of civilians, men, women, and children in the Pashtrik area, Ushtar Kavaja took on the task of recapturing and defending the top of the Gallushë mountain, a mission he successfully completed, but Indrit fell as a martyr.
He rose to eternal immortality.
And, like in the ancient Albanian ballads, in October 1999, Indrit’s remains were returned to rest in his hometown. Ushtar Kavaja returned to Kavaja and his family as an angel.
In honor of his deeds, the President of the Republic awarded Indrit with the high decoration “Golden Eagle.”
The President of Kosovo honored him with the title “Hero of Kosovo.”
The City of Kavaja and the District Council declared him a “Martyr of the Nation and Homeland.” In his memory, the main boulevard bears his name, and the elementary school where Indrit studied carries his name.
As we respectfully bow before the name and deeds of Indrit Cara, we remember him not only with sorrow but also with a permanent commitment to not let the dream for which he gave his life be extinguished.
His sacrifice serves as a compass for our future, for a united nation, for a strong Albanian presence, for a Kosovo that moves forward, free and proud.
On this solemn occasion, on this remarkable day, we remember and respectfully honor prominent figures like Ibrahim Rugova, Adem Demaçi, and the legendary commander Adem Jashari, among many others, whose lives and deeds for the freedom and independence of Kosovo have left indelible marks on the memory and history of the Albanian nation.
Today we are two states, but we must not forget that we have been, are, and will remain one nation, with one language, tradition, and culture.
Throughout centuries, much blood has been shed, much effort spent, and many sacrifices made so that today we can inherit our unique Albanian identity, one of the oldest not only in these lands but also in Europe.
This identity, a historic legacy from our ancestors, must be carefully preserved; we must not sell it or trade it for any contrived or fabricated identity.
Albania and Kosovo are independent states but not separate.
As a nation, we must work together and ensure that Indrit’s ideal and that of all martyrs continues to live in our daily actions.
This is not just a political duty but a responsibility of every citizen, of every generation.
For those who come after us, Indrit’s example must remain a guiding symbol.
He teaches us that to have a strong, united, and progressive nation, we must act with integrity, courage, and bravery, supporting each other by placing our national interests above all else.
For our future, for the future of Albanians, I am confident that the opportunities are extraordinary.
With our integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, Albania and Kosovo will have the opportunity to realize aspirations for peace, security, development, and prosperity.
Therefore, today we honor with respect the name and deeds of martyr Indrit Cara.
His memory will live forever in the hearts of Albanians, just like the ideal for which he dedicated his life to the nation.
Glory to the National Martyr, Indrit Cara!
Glory to all those who sacrificed for our freedom!
Glory to the citizens of Kavaja!