By Lindita Kokaj
The December 8th, 1990 movement laid the foundations for the journey “For Freedom and Democracy. We Want Albania like All of Europe” toward a European future. This journey has continued over the past 34 years with sacrifices, struggles, sweat, and dedication.
It was the youth who turned to the doors of embassies, eager to set off in search of their dreams and hopes.
Even today, many of the young people from 1990 rest in the mountains, along the banks of rivers and streams on the Greek border, or swallowed by the Adriatic Sea, near Otranto, and their families have no place to honor them. These young people emigrated, but their dreams and hopes were extinguished.
Let this day be a tribute to their souls.
The Albanian youth of 1990, who, on their journey toward the European dream, faced violence, racism, and in some places, hospitality. They challenged and overcame every obstacle, managing to integrate into Europe, the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere.
Through their blood, sweat, and toil, post-communist Albania was built. Homes were built for their families. With the earnings of young emigrants, Albanian families challenged poverty and deprivation.
Many of them invested in Albania, in businesses and various activities.
We were unknown to Europe, and Europe was unknown to us. It was precisely the young Albanian emigrants, the first to leave, who became messengers of a people full of dreams and hopes. There are countless young people who have shone in European schools and universities, quickly integrating into the countries where they live and work.
In art, culture, science, sports, and many other fields, Albanian youth became the “First Ambassadors” of Albania in Europe, presenting the values, traditions, history, and culture of Albania all over the world.
Albanian youth are the “engine and spirit” of every electoral campaign in these 34 years in Albania, yet they are still forgotten in their challenging pursuit of the European dream.
They live in their homeland in freedom, but without freedom. They live here in democracy, but without democracy, hoping that one day Albania will be like all of Europe.
Eternal migrants at the “crossroads” of our country, eternal migrants on European, American, Canadian, and Australian roads.
The journey of Albanian youth continues at a rapid pace even today, after 34 years, with dreams and hopes for an “Albania like all of Europe.”
The verses of Migjeni’s “Song of Youth” carry the most meaningful message of every December 8th.
Lindita Kokaj is a translator and journalist with two decades of experience, a member of the SGPM.