Adem Demaçi, born on February 26, 1936, was a symbol of national resistance, an intellectual, political activist, and fighter.

Hailing from the village of Lupq in Podujeva, Demaçi would have turned 89 today.

A committed activist for the national cause during the Yugoslav era, Demaçi fought for Kosova’s equality with the other republics. He raised his voice on international platforms to expose the injustices faced by Albanians in Kosova under the Yugoslav regime. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded the Sakharov Prize by the European Parliament in 1991.

For his political activism, Demaçi spent 28 years in Yugoslav prisons. Upon his release, he immediately resumed his political work, earning the title of “Mandela of Europe.”

Demaçi led the Council for Human Rights and Freedoms (KMDLNJ) from 1990 to 1995. For a certain period, he served as the political spokesperson for the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA). From 2005 to 2007, he was president of the Kosova Writers’ Association.

He also authored the novel “Gjarpijt e Gjakut” (The Serpents of Blood), which was banned by the communist regime and only published after the 1990s. Demaçi passed away on July 26, 2018.

/a.p./