Alphabet Day – The Triumph of the Albanian Mind and the Rebirth of the National Spirit
Flamur Buçpapaj
November 22 is one of the most significant dates in Albanian history. On this day, Albanians look back on an event that laid the foundations of our modern identity: the Congress of Manastir of 1908, which unified the alphabet of the Albanian language and gave the nation one of its greatest cultural achievements of all time.
Historical context: one language, many alphabets
At the beginning of the 20th century, Albanians were a nation divided in many aspects, but above all in their written language. Several different alphabets were used—Latin, Greek, Arabic, Cyrillic—depending on the region, religious influence, or political circumstances. This complicated situation created:
cultural and educational fragmentation,
difficulties in publishing books and school texts,
obstacles for Albanian students and schools,
weakening of national identity.
In this complex reality, the Albanian Renaissance intellectuals understood that without a unified language, there could be no unified nation.
The Congress of Manastir – where Albanian minds came together
From November 14–22, 1908, fifty delegates from all Albanian regions and the diaspora gathered in Manastir. They were patriots, linguists, priests, imams, teachers, publishers, and notable national figures. Among the leading contributors were:
Mit’hat Frashëri, intellectual and writer,
Gjergj Fishta, the national poet,
Ndre Mjeda, distinguished linguist,
Parashqevi Qiriazi, one of the most prominent voices of Albanian education,
and many others who left an indelible mark on the history of the Albanian language.
Despite religious, regional, or political differences, they united for a single purpose: choosing a common alphabet for the Albanian language.
The Latin alphabet – a choice of modernity and Europe
After long debates and linguistic and practical analyses, the delegates unanimously decided that the Latin alphabet, adapted to the sounds of Albanian, would become the official alphabet of the Albanian language.
This decision:
placed Albania within the European family of culture,
provided a simple and modern writing system,
facilitated the publication of books, newspapers, and school texts,
laid the foundation for the later standardization of the language.
It was a great emancipatory act and a political victory against the efforts of the Ottoman Empire and neighboring states to hinder the development of Albanian education.
The importance of Alphabet Day today
Today, November 22 is more than a historical date. It is:
a day of reflection on the sacrifices of the Renaissance patriots,
a day of gratitude to those who fought for Albanian to be taught, read, and written freely,
a day of identity, reminding us that language is our greatest national treasure.
The Albanian alphabet today is the bridge that connects all Albanian regions—Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Presheva, and the diaspora. It is the foundation upon which we write:
our literature,
our history,
our shared identity.
The message of this day
Alphabet Day reminds us that a nation is not held together only by land and borders, but by:
language,
culture,
historical memory,
knowledge and education.
Preserving and enriching the Albanian language is the duty of every Albanian, wherever they live.
Happy Albanian Alphabet Day!
Let us honor our roots, protect our language, and build a future that stands firmly on the foundations of knowledge and national identity.
