In the context of the 115th anniversary of his birth, the Faculty of Foreign Languages organized an international conference dedicated to the immortal work of Prof. Dr. Eqrem Çabejt.

The head of the Academy of Sciences of Albania, Skënder Gjinushi, was also present at this conference.

“Participating in and welcoming the proceedings of a scientific conference is always a pleasure, but when it is dedicated to the main figure of Albanian academicism and science, the founding member of the Academy of Sciences (ASA), Prof. Eqrem Çabejt, the pleasure turns into an honor and pride for the Academy of Sciences itself,” said Academic Gjinushi.

In his speech, the head of ASA stated that Eqrem Çabej, without a doubt, is the epitome of a young Albanian who, through dedication and talent, progressed from being a student at the first school of Albanian studies in the world, of Austro-German origin, under the guidance of the renowned albanologist Norbert Jokl, to becoming one of the most prominent figures in Albanianology, reaching the distinguished position of a professor and further advancing his scholarly contributions.

Çabej and his contemporaries, including researchers and colleagues, played a pivotal role in bringing Albanianology to its rightful home. Previously centered in Austria and Germany, as Çabej himself articulated, Albanology gradually established its base in Tirana in the early 1970s. Professor Çabej and his generation demonstrated that success in science could be achieved not only individually but also collectively by creating a distinct tradition and experience, shaping the unique identity of Albanianology and even establishing its own academic school.

Today, we confidently assert that our language has its roots in Illyrian, considering it one of the oldest, and recognize the Illyrians as our ancestors. However, during the time of the young Çabej, for various reasons, schools and researchers promoting and attempting to prove the opposite were more prevalent and aggressive. It was only at the First Congress of Illyrian Studies in 1972, thanks to the efforts of Çabej, Buda, and others, that it was observed with satisfaction that the balance in the Albanian academic world, both within and outside Albania, began to shift in favor of our theses and our academic tradition.

/m.ll/