The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, published a lengthy post following the death of academician Rexhep Qosja.
Kurti stated that the Albanian people do not have another contemporary academic who contributed as much to the language and the nation, adding that Qosja was often criticized by politics and even by his colleagues.
In his post on Facebook, Kurti also reflected on Qosja’s life and work. Qosja passed away at the age of 89.
Excerpt from the post:
“Consolation comes from such a life. Rexhep Qosja passed away today. His work will undoubtedly live far longer than his century. Yet, first of all, his work begins a new life today: a life without its author.
Dozens of Qosja’s books will now gain a different kind of reading and, certainly, new readers. From linguistic studies and literary criticism to historical diaries, from short stories and plays to voluminous novels, they will now be experienced differently. From this rereading by us and by future generations will depend the lessons and inspirations of the future. It is a great fortune for a nation to have such chroniclers of their times, of thought and circumstances.
Naturally, no one can claim that any writer or figure was our last renaissance figure. But surely, we must all say that no one has known, understood, valued, and elevated our renaissance figures more deeply than academician Rexhep Qosja.
In academia he was a linguist, in language a historian; in public a writer, in writing a thinker; in society a politician, and in politics a scholar. Between the legacy of European Enlightenment and the life of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, as well as between romanticism and postmodernism, he moved remarkably and inspired continuously.
He wrote also because he had read extensively. He wrote so much especially because he had something to say. He spent his life among books, many of which he authored himself, now part of each of our libraries.
The Albanian people do not have another contemporary academic who contributed so much to our language and our nation, while at the same time being so frequently attacked by politics and his peers. He will be remembered as he was—and he was as he remained: unwavering.
Just two months short of nine decades that meant so much for Albanians everywhere. He has passed away, but his work lives on.”
The post Death of academician Rexhep Qosja, Kurti: An unwavering figure who contributed to our language and nation appeared first on Euronews Albania.
