Skopje, 22 November 2024 (MIA) - In our country, education and literacy aren’t only individual needs but also a collective responsibility. They are key for economic development, for building a just and inclusive society and strengthening democracy, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Friday at a government event marking November 22 – Albanian Alphabet Day.

Referring to the 1908 Congress of Bitola, Prime Minister Mickoski said a group of intellectuals, with wisdom and unity, made a decision that will trace the path to the future – the creation of a single and standardized alphabet.

“This wasn’t only a linguistic decision, it was an act creating the future and a cultural milestone,” Mickoski said. 

At the event, the Prime Minister spoke about a shared duty to create a society in which all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or language, will feel equal and be able to contribute to the common good.

“In this spirit, the Albanian alphabet is a reminder about how literacy and education are bridges between citizens, and not points of division, not political demands by individuals who used to hide behind the people for years while robbing them,” Mickoski said.

He underscored literacy and education as the foundation for individual and collective development.

“Literacy isn’t only learning letters and numbers, it is a bridge that connects us to our culture, history and the world that surrounds us,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski noted that education and literacy in the country aren’t only individual needs, but also a collective responsibility.

“Literacy and education aren’t a luxury; they are basic rights and instruments for the transformation of our society. Their importance cannot be measured in figures, but their impact is seen in the improved life of every individual and the progress of the entire community. Let’s invest in literacy and open the doors of literacy to all. Let’s create a society in which knowledge will be the strongest currency. This is the only way to build a country that will be ready for the future,” Mickoski said. 

Albanian Alphabet Day marks the anniversary of the Congress of Bitola when Albanian intellectuals gathered in the city on November 14-22, 1908, to create the Albanian alphabet. 

Photo/Video: Government