TIRANA, November 28 – Albania marks the eighty first anniversary of Liberation. The day also serves as a reminder of the sacrifice of the thousands of young men and women who fell for freedom.

To honour this anniversary, the highest state authorities paid homage at the Martyrs Cemetery in Tirana. President Bajram Begaj, Speaker Niko Peleshi, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Defence Minister Pirro Vengu and the acting mayor of Tirana, Anuela Ristani, attended the ceremony. Local officials, veterans and families of the martyrs were also present.

The leaders bowed in respect and placed wreaths of flowers at the Mother Albania monument.

The country lived under occupation from April 1939 to 29 November 1944. Albania was first taken by fascist Italy. After Italy’s capitulation in the autumn of 1943, nazi German forces occupied the country.

The liberation of Tirana on 17 November marked a turning point. After that victory and the liberation of the main areas of northern Albania, Shkodër became the last city to be freed.

During the Second World War, Albanians joined the antifascist coalition and fought a liberation war. The National Liberation Anti-Fascist War remains one of the most important events in Albania’s history. The victory removed the nazi fascist occupiers and placed Albania among the winning forces of the war, next to the major allies.

Albanians from the south to the north mobilised. Cities and villages supported the fight against the occupiers. Through this wartime effort, Albania became part of the Euro Atlantic anti-fascist coalition and remains part of it today as a NATO member.

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